Two American tourists drown on idyllic Bahamas beach after terrifying waves pull them out to sea
Two American tourists have drowned on an idyllic beach in the Bahamas after they were swept out to sea by terrifying waves.
A man, 38, and woman, 40, were swimming with a large group in the waters off the coast of Bimini on Friday afternoon when they got caught in the waves, the Royal Bahamas Police Force said.
A nearby ferry boat rescued several swimmers in the group, but the two victims were already unresponsive before the boat had arrived, police said.
The pair were pulled from the water and immediately given CPR, before being taken to a local health clinic.
Medical staff tried to save the pair, but they were pronounced dead by the attending physician just before 4pm, officials said.
Police said the group were in waters where signs had been placed warning swimmers against strong currents.
An autopsy will be conducted to determine the pair’s exact cause of death, though police do not suspect any foul play.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy remain ongoing.
Two American tourists – a man, 38, and woman, 40 – drowned on the southern point of North Bimini, near the entrance to the Bimini Harbour, on Friday, police said. Footage obtained by Eyewitness News Bahamas shows first responders on the scene
The pair’s death marks the second fatal drowning incident on the idyllic island of Bimini (pictured) in a matter of weeks
Video obtained by Eyewitness News Bahamas shows first responders on the southern point of North Bimini, near the entrance to the Bimini Harbour, on Friday.
The Royal Bahamas Police received the initial 911 call about the possible drowning incident around 3pm Friday.
Rough seas and strong currents were active in the area, the footage showed.
The pair’s death marks the second fatal drowning incident on Bimini in a matter of weeks.
A British mother, identified as 36-year-old Leanne Gregory, died on October 20 while on a snorkeling 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.
Police said they were told shortly after 10am that Gregory was found unresponsive at the ferry dock in Bimini.
But she had already been taken for treatment when officers arrived. Doctors at the clinic later pronounced her dead.
The drowning victims had been swimming with a large group in the waters off the coast of Bimini on Friday afternoon. Police said they were in waters where signs had been placed warning swimmers against strong currents
Leanne Gregory, of the UK, died on October 20 while on a snorkeling expedition in the south of the island with her husband, Nathan, (pictured together) and their sons. Investigators said the current had swept the family away
Her sons were rescued by emergency services from the water and her husband, Nathan Gregory, 36, attempted to resuscitate her, but it was too late.
According to Eyewitness News Bahamas, the string of deaths has sparked growing concern among Bimini residents.
Locals have raised questions about water safety, particularly in areas that they believe should be designated as off-limits to swimmers.
Concerns have also been expressed over the alleged absence of adequate security personnel and proper supervision in the water.
Residents are now calling on officials to strengthen safety measures, improve oversight and implement safeguards to ensure that both locals and tourists are not exposed to preventable dangers.
