Leanne Gregory died on Tuesday after a strong current swept her family during a snorkelling trip in the Bahamas. The 36-year-old from Stapleford in Nottinghamshire held on to one of her sons until he was rescued, but she could not save herself.
Her husband, Nathan Gregory, said the loss of his 36-year-old childhood sweetheart was unimaginable and described her as “hero... in life and in death.” He said the children were rescued from the water off Bimini, while Leanne Gregory was later found unresponsive near the North Bimini Ferry Dock.
North Bimini Ferry Dock response
The Royal Bahamas Police Force said officers received reports shortly after 10:00 local time on Tuesday that a woman had been found unresponsive at the North Bimini Ferry Dock. The force said the woman was brought to the dock after she was swept away, CPR was given there, and she was then taken to a local medical clinic where she was pronounced dead.
Police said an autopsy would be conducted and that foul play is not suspected. The Foreign Office said its thoughts were with the family and that it was in contact with local authorities while providing support to her family.
Nathan Gregory’s tribute
Nathan Gregory said in a Facebook post that Leanne Gregory was “The purest, most amazing wife, mother and friend to have ever walked this Earth.” He said he had been with her for 22 years and added, “I will never get over this, she was my soulmate, my childhood sweetheart, my one and only. The foundation of my entire family and the strength that held us all together.”
He also said, “My boys had to witness something nobody should ever have to see of any age, but they know Mum died an absolute hero.” In the same post, he said Leanne Gregory held on to their son until he was rescued but “didn't have the energy to save herself.”
Family support after Tuesday
Nathan Gregory said he had set up a fundraising page “for my sons and security after the tragic loss.” He later wrote, “I just have to be thankful for the hero she was in life and in death, and totally grateful for the fact my boys got out safely.”
The account leaves one hard edge to the story: the children came out of the water, but Leanne Gregory did not. The police timeline places the emergency, the rescue, and the final medical steps on Tuesday, and the autopsy will be the next official step in the Bahamas.
