A British woman has drowned in the Bahamas while trying to save her two children who were swept out to sea. 

The 36-year-old was on a snorkelling expedition in the south of the island with her husband and sons when the current carried them away. 

According to local reports, she entered the water in a bid to save them. 

She was pulled from the water and taken to North Bimini Ferry Dock when a man tried to resuscitate her.

Police said they were told shortly after 10am on Tuesday that the mother was found unresponsive at the ferry dock in Bimini. 

But the woman had already been taken for treatment when officers arrived. Doctors at the clinic later pronounced her dead. 

Linty Stuart, owner of L&A Water Taxi, told local broadcaster ZNS that he was the captain of the boat when people on board the vessel alerted him to the incident. 

He said he 'saw two boys and a mum' in the water and that bystanders were able to pull the two boys from the water but the strong currents made it difficult to reach the mother. 

Mr Stuart then tried to turn the boat around to the 'calm section' of the water when he spotted the 36-year-old 'face down'. 

ZNS reports that 'one of her children reportedly got into distress' when she jumped in to save him. 

Mr Stuart said the ship's first mate Jason Saunders tried to perform CPR on the mother when the boat docked before paramedics arrived at the scene. 

Mr Saunders told the broadcaster that despite his attempts to resuscitate her, the mother 'didn't come around'. 

He added: 'It's scary. We tried... it's sad.' 

A witness said: 'Both children were rescued, I was there for all of it. She's a hero.

'Also pray for her husband. He went out to save the other boy but a bystander was able to get him.

'It was truly terrible and nobody's fault. Just two boys who were eager to get in the water and then things went crazy fast.

'Two of the best parents I've ever seen in my entire life.' 

A post-mortem examination will now take place to determine the cause of her death. 

A spokesman for the Royal Bahamas Police Force said: 'On Tuesday, 20th October, 2026, police on the island of Bimini launched an investigation into the sudden death of a 36-year-old British woman. 

'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 awat. She was later rescued and transported to the ferry dock, where CPR was reportedly administered.

'Foul play is not suspect at this time. An autopsy will be conducted to assist in determining the exact cause of death.' 

An Foreign Office spokesman 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.'

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