Mom, 36, Drowns Trying to Save Her 2 Sons from Rough Waters on Bahamas Vacation

A British mother drowned in rough waters while on vacation with her husband and their two sons in The Bahamas, according to reports.

Shortly after 10 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Oct. 20, officers from the Alice Town Police Station responded to reports of an unresponsive woman at the North Bimini Ferry Dock, local news outlet The Tribune reported. She had already been taken to a local clinic when officers arrived, per the outlet.

Despite life-saving measures, a doctor at the clinic pronounced the 36-year-old mother dead. She and her family had been visiting the island as part of a cruise, according to the The ZNS Network. According to further reporting by the outlet and The Tribune, the mom was trying to rescues her sons from rough waters at the time of the incident.

“Preliminary information indicates that the deceased was snorkeling with her husband and two sons near the southern point of the island when a strong current reportedly swept both children away,” a spokesman for the Royal Bahamas Police Force told UK newspaper The Telegraph.

“In an attempt to rescue her sons, the woman was also swept away,” the spokesperson continued. “She was later rescued and transported to the ferry dock, where CPR was reportedly administered.”

“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,” the spokesperson concluded, per The Telegraph.

Police do not suspect foul play, according to The Tribune. An autopsy is being arranged to determine the woman’s exact cause of death, while the condition of her two sons has not been shared publicly. According to The ZNS Network, the woman’s sons witnessed the life-saving efforts that were performed on her.

“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,” said a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson in a statement to PEOPLE.

Linty Stuart, the owner of L&A Water Taxi, told The ZNS Network that he captained the boat that pulled the family from the water. He claims the two boys were safely rescued, but big waves made it difficult to save the mother.

“It happened, really really fast. I’m still in shock too,” Stuart told the Bahamian TV network. The first mate of L&A Water Taxi, Jason Saunders, added to the outlet, “It’s scary. We tried … It’s sad.”

According to The Tribune and The Telegraph, the mother’s death is the fourth drowning in Bimini’s waters in the last two years, including two snorkelers.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.