Both boys survived after being swept away by a strong current during a family snorkeling trip near Bimini.
BIMINI, Bahamas — A 36-year-old British mother died after trying to rescue her two sons when a strong current swept them away during a family snorkeling trip off Bimini, authorities said.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force said the woman was snorkeling with her husband and two sons near the southern point of Bimini on Tuesday, Oct. 20, when the children were carried away by the current. She went into the water in an effort to help them and was also swept away. Both boys were eventually rescued and survived.
Subsequent news reports identified the woman as Leanne Gregory of Nottinghamshire, England. Police had not initially released her name in their public account of the incident. British authorities confirmed they were supporting the family and were in contact with officials in the Bahamas.
Police said officers at the Alice Town Police Station received a report shortly after 10 a.m. that a woman was unresponsive at the North Bimini Ferry Dock. Gregory had already been pulled from the water and taken to the dock, where CPR was reportedly administered before she was transported to a local clinic.
A doctor pronounced Gregory dead at the clinic despite efforts to save her, police said. Authorities said foul play was not suspected. An autopsy was expected to help determine the exact cause of death, which had not been officially announced as of Saturday.
Accounts from rescuers described difficult conditions in the water. Linty Stuart, owner of L&A Water Taxi, told news organizations that his crew saw people signaling for help and moved toward the family. Stuart said strong currents and large waves made the rescue difficult and that events unfolded rapidly.
Family members told British media that Gregory and her husband, Nathan Gregory, had been together for more than 20 years and were traveling with their sons during a school holiday. Reports said the family was visiting Bimini during a cruise vacation when the snorkeling trip turned into an emergency.
Gregory’s relatives described her as a devoted mother whose actions were focused on protecting her children. Her husband and other family members have since spoken publicly about the loss while expressing gratitude that the boys survived. Authorities have not released the children’s names.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was assisting Gregory’s family and communicating with local authorities. Bahamian police continued investigating the circumstances of the death, while the planned autopsy was expected to provide further information about the medical cause.
The incident remained under investigation Saturday. Police said they did not suspect foul play, and no further official findings about the cause of Gregory’s death had been released.
Author note: Last updated October 24, 2026.