SuppliedThe husband of a woman who died as she tried to rescue her two sons when they were swept out to sea in the Bahamas said they had been celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary.
Leanne Gregory, from Stapleford in Nottinghamshire, had been on a family holiday with husband Nathan when he believes their boys were swept into the ocean by a riptide.
Although the children were rescued from the water on Tuesday, their mother was unable to be saved, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said.
Speaking to the BBC on Sunday, Nathan, who is now back home with their sons, said the trip had been an early celebration for their anniversary in December.
He said both boys had been so excited and had been snorkelling in shallow water as they sorted out their towels and bags on the beach when the boys got into difficulties.
Both parents went into the sea and tried to save them as they were swept out by the current, he added, and the whole ordeal happened in less than 10 minutes.
Nathan said the loss of his 36-year-old “childhood sweetheart” was “unimaginable”, but she was a “hero… in life and in death” as she helped to rescue the two boys.
“I’ve known her since infant school,” he told the BBC. ” We first got together when we were 14… so 22 years.”
“There are no words I can use to describe Leanne, same as anyone she has ever known.
“She was the purest of people, the most generous kind and beautiful person who ever walked the earth.
“Our relationship was perfect. She was the perfect mother, the perfect wife the foundation of our entire family.”
Nathan said: “Royal Caribbean and Virgin Airlines were absolutely incredible to us and made an impossible journey home so much easier.
Now, as he “keeps strong for his boys”, a gofundme has generated nearly £9,000 in donations to support them.
More tributes have paid to the family since the tragedy.
Richard MacRae, who represents Stapleford north at Broxtowe Borough Council, said it was a “tight-knit community” that would rally around the family.
“It’s sad, it’s heartbreaking, when something tragic happens and people have got young kids involved, it is just a different level,” he said.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends and the wider community.”
On a BBC Facebook post, people passed on their condolences.
One post read: “Grateful to have known you and worked with you Leanne!
“Gone too soon, but never forgotten.”
Stapleford Fire Station posted it was “deeply saddened” to hear of the mother of two’s death.
SuppliedThey said: “Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.”
The two children were rescued off the coast of Bimini, police in the Bahamas said.
In a statement posted on social media, 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.
It added after she was swept away, she was brought to the ferry dock where CPR was given.
Leanne was then taken to a local medical clinic but was confirmed dead there, the police force said.
It said an autopsy would be conducted but “foul play is not suspected”.
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office added: “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.”
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