British Mother Dies Trying to Rescue Her Two Sons During Snorkelling Trip in the Bahamas

A British woman has died in the Bahamas after trying to save her two sons when a strong current carried them away during a snorkelling outing. The Royal Bahamas police force has opened an investigation into the death of the 36-year-old, which happened on Tuesday.

According to police, the woman had been snorkelling with her husband and their two sons near the southern point of North Bimini. A strong current reportedly swept both boys away. Police said that while trying to reach them, "the woman was also swept away." The children were later rescued from the water.

In a statement posted on social media, the force set out a preliminary account of events. Shortly after 10am, officers at the Alice Town police station were told that a woman was unresponsive at the North Bimini ferry dock. Officers went to the scene and found that she had already been taken to the local clinic for medical attention.

A local doctor pronounced her dead at the clinic, despite efforts to save her life. Police said she was rescued from the water and brought to the ferry dock, where CPR was reportedly administered. "Foul play is not suspected at this time," the statement said.

Police said an autopsy would be carried out to help establish the exact cause of her death.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is aware of the case. A spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with the family of a British woman who has died in the Bahamas." The spokesperson added that officials are in contact with the local authorities and are providing support to her family.

Bimini is a small island group lying between Andros, the largest landmass in the Bahamas, and Miami in the United States. It is the closest point in the Bahamas to the US mainland. The islands are best known for once having been home to Ernest Hemingway, and they also host a world-leading shark research centre.