Died Saving Her Children in the Bahamas Husband Hails 36-Year-Old British Mother as a ‘Hero’
A heartbroken husband has paid tribute to his wife, who lost her life while attempting to save their children in the Bahamas.
Nathan Gregory shared an emotional message for 36-year-old Leanne Gregory, who drowned on Tuesday while the family was snorkeling off the island of Bimini.
It is reported that a strong current had swept away their two sons, prompting Leanne to jump into the water to rescue them.
The children were saved by emergency response teams and individuals aboard a nearby boat. Nathan, 36, attempted to resuscitate his wife, but it was already too late. Nathan, a resident of Stapleford in Nottinghamshire, wrote on GoFundMe:
“This loss is unimaginable for our family; she was our foundation, our support she was the one who shaped us.
We were childhood sweethearts my one and only love. Twenty-two years together, and we were both only 36 years old.
A whole lifetime lay ahead, and now it has all been taken away.
I am simply grateful that she was a hero both in life and in her final moments and that my sons made it out safely.
I am grateful to the boaters who noticed my signals from the water and rescued the children.
I am grateful to the woman who helped me save her when the boat returned. I am grateful to my sons, who after witnessing things no one should ever have to see remained incredibly brave.
And, above all, I am grateful to my courageous, wonderful wife who, even as she was drowning, kept our son above the water.
She held onto him until he was rescued, but when a sudden wave pushed the boat away, she no longer had the strength left to save herself.
Everyone who knew you will always love you, and I know you will continue to watch over us.”
On Facebook, he added: “She was the purest, most wonderful wife, mother, and friend to ever walk this earth. I will never recover from this trauma; she was my life partner, my childhood sweetheart my one and only love.” Nathan’s mother, Kim Jones, speaking to The Telegraph, said: “She was the best mother in the world wonderful; a lovely woman who would have done anything for anyone.
Leanne and Nathan had been together for over 20 years. They were childhood sweethearts, and I have always been very close to both of them.
This has come as such a shock. I can’t even imagine what my son must be going through.”
She added that she did not know whether Leanne’s body was being brought back alongside her husband and sons.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force stated: “According to initial reports, shortly after 10:00 AM, the Alice Town Police Station received information that a woman had been found unconscious at the North Bimini ferry dock.
Upon arrival, officers learned that the woman had been taken to a local clinic, where, despite resuscitation efforts, she was pronounced dead.
Preliminary information suggests that the woman was snorkeling near the southern end of the island with her husband and two sons when strong currents swept the children away.
In an attempt to rescue her sons, the woman was also swept away.
She was subsequently recovered and brought to the ferry dock, where CPR was administered.
At this stage, there is no suspicion of foul play. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.”
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the British woman who died in the Bahamas. We are in contact with local authorities and are providing support to the family.”
