A 36-year-old British woman died after strong currents swept her away while she tried to save her two sons during a snorkeling trip in the Bahamas, according to local police.
The woman was snorkeling with her husband and their two sons near the southern point of Bimini on Tuesday, Oct. 20, when a current swept both boys away, according to preliminary information shared by the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
The mother, who police did not identify, then entered the water in an attempt to rescue her sons but was also swept away. A water taxi crew later pulled the family from the water, The Independent reported.
The woman was taken to a ferry dock, where CPR was reportedly administered before she was transported to a local clinic, police said. A doctor pronounced her dead despite lifesaving efforts, and no foul play is suspected, according to authorities.
Crystal clear water amidst rocks and sandy beaches of North Bimini’s west coast in Bahamas.
Water taxi captain describes difficult rescue
Linty Stuart, owner of L&A Water Taxi, told Bahamian broadcaster ZNS Network that he was captaining the boat that rescued the family. His crew spotted people waving frantically in the distance, prompting him to investigate.
Stuart said the strong currents and large waves complicated the rescue. Waves reaching 7 to 8 feet nearly tipped the vessel over, he told the outlet.
“Everything happened really, really fast. It’s a shock,” Stuart said.
Jason Saunders, the boat’s first mate, also described the incident to ZNS, recalling it being “scary” and ultimately “sad.”
The woman’s sons reportedly watched as rescuers attempted to revive their mother. Authorities have not publicly provided details about the boys’ condition, according to People.
USA TODAY contacted the Royal Bahamas Police Force on Oct. 23 for additional information about the incident and the condition of the woman’s sons, but has not received a response.
British officials supporting deceased woman’s family
The British government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was supporting the woman’s family.
“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,” the office told People in a statement.
The woman and her family had been visiting Bimini as part of a cruise, according to ZNS Network.
Other drownings reported in Bimini
The incident is the latest reported drowning in waters around Bimini.
In May, a 69-year-old American tourist died after being found floating motionless during a snorkeling excursion about four nautical miles south of South Bimini. Passengers who claimed to be doctors performed CPR as the boat returned to shore, but the man was soon pronounced dead at a local clinic.
In February 2025, three drownings were reported in Bimini within a single week, including an 85-year-old snorkeler who became unresponsive off Ocean Cay, according to Nassau-based newspaper The Tribune.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or on X @athompsonUSAT
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mother drowns trying to save sons during Bahamas snorkeling trip
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