Man pays tribute to wife who died saving her two sons

A British man, Nathan Gregory, has paid an emotional tribute to his wife, Leanne, who died while trying to rescue their two sons after they were swept out to sea during a family holiday in the Bahamas, Punch reports.

Leanne, 36, from Stapleford in Nottinghamshire, was on holiday with her husband and children when the incident happened off the coast of Bimini on Tuesday. The Royal Bahamas Police Force said both boys were rescued from the water, but their mother could not be saved.

Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, Nathan described her as his “childhood sweetheart.” He said the trip was an early celebration of their 10th wedding anniversary in December. “I’ve known her since infant school. We first got together when we were 14, so 22 years,” he said.

He said the boys were snorkelling in shallow water while their parents arranged towels and bags on the beach when they got into difficulties. Both parents rushed into the sea after a strong current caught the children, and it all happened in less than 10 minutes. He called his wife a “hero… in life and in death.”

“She was the purest of people, the most generous, kind and beautiful person who ever walked the Earth,” he said. “Our relationship was perfect. She was the perfect mother, the perfect wife, the foundation of our entire family.”

Police said she was found unresponsive at the North Bimini Ferry Dock and pronounced dead at a local clinic after CPR. An autopsy will be conducted, and “foul play is not suspected.”

A fundraising page for the family has raised nearly £9,000. The UK Foreign Office said it is supporting the family.