British mother, 36, drowns trying to rescue sons swept away by current off Bimini

A 36-year-old British mother drowned off the coast of North Bimini in the Bahamas on Tuesday, Oct. 20, after being swept away while trying to rescue her two sons during a snorkelling trip, the Royal Bahamas Police Force has said (The Sun).

The woman, who has not been publicly identified, was snorkelling with her husband and their two sons near the southern point of the island when a strong current swept both boys away. She tried to save them but was carried off herself, according to police (USA Today, People).

A crew from L&A Water Taxi, captained by Linty Stuart with first mate Jason Saunders, spotted the family waving in the distance and pulled them from the water in waves of seven to eight feet that nearly capsized the vessel (USA Today). The woman was taken to the North Bimini Ferry Dock, where CPR was administered, then to a local clinic, where a doctor pronounced her dead despite lifesaving efforts (People).

Police said no foul play is suspected, and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. The condition of the two sons has not been made public (People). The family had been visiting Bimini as part of a cruise (New York Post).

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” (People).