Leanne Gregory, a 36-year-old woman from Stapleford in Nottinghamshire, died on Tuesday after entering the sea to rescue her two sons near Bimini in the Bahamas. Both boys were swept out by a riptide while snorkelling in shallow water and were successfully rescued, but Gregory could not be saved.
The family had been on holiday to celebrate their approaching 10th wedding anniversary in December. Gregory's husband, Nathan, told the BBC the incident occurred in less than 10 minutes as both parents entered the water to help their sons against the current.
After being swept away, Gregory was brought to the North Bimini Ferry Dock, where she received CPR. She was then taken to a local medical clinic but was pronounced dead. The Royal Bahamas Police Force said an autopsy would be conducted but that "foul play is not suspected."
Nathan described his wife of 22 years as his "childhood sweetheart," having known her since infant school and been together since age 14. He said she was "the purest of people" and "a hero in life and in death" for helping rescue the two boys.
"Our relationship was perfect," Nathan told the BBC. "She was the perfect mother, the perfect wife, the foundation of our entire family."
The family has returned home with support from Royal Caribbean and Virgin Airlines. A GoFundMe page established for the family has generated nearly £9,000 in donations. The local community in Stapleford has also offered support, with Richard MacRae, a local councillor, describing it as a "tight-knit community" that would rally around them. Stapleford Fire Station posted that it was "deeply saddened" by her death.
The UK Foreign Office said it was providing support to the family and in contact with local authorities.