Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Hulan Hanna told the Journal last night that the victims had been identified as 45-year-old Faye Major, her daughter Diedre, 14, and her sister Renee Pinder, 40.

Police information is that the three women were part of a family outing with Bishop Harcourt Pinder in Turtle Cove, near Dean’s Blue Hole, around 3PM Wednesday when the incident occurred.

When police arrived at the scene, they met the lifeless bodies of the three women laying on the shore.

"Further information revealed to us that sometime around 3PM on (Wednesday), one of the females was in the water, and she was walking when it is believed that she fell into a hole – some are describing it as a blue hole," he reported. "The other two females saw her distress, and they went to assist her."

"It was at this time that they, too, became a part of this perilous situation, and it is believed that they all lost their lives as a result of this very, very unfortunate incident."

Mr. Hanna explained that the bodies were flown to Nassau last night.

"Investigations are continuing, by officers there assisted by officers from the capital.

The acting ACP said that all indications from officers in Long Island suggested that as the first victim was walking in the waters 15 feet to 20 feet off the shoreline, she fell into a dark area.

"At this point, we do not know conclusively if this was in fact a blue hole, but it was sufficient to overwhelm her and to create the fallout effects for those persons who came to rescue her," he said.

Mr. Hanna dismissed the idea of foul play out of hand.

"Absolutely not. These persons were there on the beach with Bishop Harcourt Pinder, who is the father, and his wife Hazel Pinder, and another young daughter," he said.

"It seemed to be just a family outing that just went terribly awry."