A grieving husband has described his wife as a “hero” after she died while trying to save their children from a powerful current in the Bahamas.
Leanne Gregory, 36, was taking part in a snorkelling excursion with her husband and their sons on the island of Bimini when she died on Tuesday.
The mother was attempting to reach her two sons after they were reportedly carried away by a strong current.
Emergency responders and her husband, Nathan Gregory, 36, managed to bring the boys to safety. Nathan tried to resuscitate Leanne, but she could not be saved.
In a GoFundMe appeal, Mr Gregory said the loss of his wife, who was from Stapleford in Nottinghamshire, was “unimaginable” for the family.
He wrote: “This loss is unimaginable for our family, she was our foundation, our support, she made us who we are.
“We were childhood sweethearts, my one and only. 22 years into our relationship at only 36 years old.
Nathan Gregory pictured with his wife, Leanne, who died while trying to rescue their children in the Bahamas
“We had our whole lives ahead of us and it has all been taken away.
“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.
“She held him until he was rescued but didn’t have the energy to save herself, after a freak wave swept the boat away from her.”
“Thankful for the people in the boat that noticed me flag it down after I struggled out the water, and got them out.
“Thankful to the lady that helped me try to bring her back when the boat returned.
“Thankful for my boys for remaining strong after seeing something nobody should ever see.
“But mainly thankful to my brave, amazing wife for keeping my boy above the water even as you were sinking.
“You will be forever loved by everyone you knew and I know you will continue to watch over us.”
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In a separate Facebook post, Mr Gregory said Leanne was “the purest, most amazing wife, mother and friend to have ever walked this Earth”.
“I will never get over this, she was my soulmate, my childhood sweetheart, my one and only,” he added.
Mr Gregory’s mother previously spoke to the Telegraph about the devastating death, paying tribute to her daughter-in-law.
She said: “She was the best mum in the world, just brilliant; a lovely woman who would do anything for anyone.
‘Leanne and Nathan have been together for more than 20 years. They were schoolkid sweethearts and I’ve always been very close to both of them.
‘It’s all such a shock… I cannot imagine how my son will be feeling.’
She added she was unsure if Leanne’s body was being repatriated on her son and grandchildren’s return home.
In a statement, posted on social media, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said: ‘According to the preliminary report, shortly after 10am, officers at the Alice Town police station received information that a female was unresponsive at the North Bimini Ferry Dock.
‘Officers responded and, upon arrival, learned that the woman had been transported to the local clinic for medical attention, where she was subsequently pronounced dead by a local doctor despite efforts to save her life.
‘Preliminary information indicates that the deceased was snorkelling with her husband and two sons near the southern point of the island when a strong current reportedly swept both children away.
‘In an attempt to rescue her sons, the woman was also swept away.
‘She was later rescued and transported to the ferry dock, where CPR was reportedly administered.
‘Foul play is not suspected at this time. An autopsy will be conducted to assist in determining the exact cause of death.’
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: ‘Our thoughts are with the family of a British woman who has died in the Bahamas.
‘We are in contact with the local authorities and providing support to her family.’