West Mersea beach tragedy victims were trying to help boy

West Mersea beach tragedy victims were trying to help boy

A tragic event unfolded at West Mersea on the Essex coast when a woman and her teenage daughter lost their lives after getting into trouble in the water. According to police, the pair had been attempting to rescue a seven-year-old boy who was struggling. The young boy remains in critical condition at the hospital, along with three others who were also hospitalized following the incident.

The deceased have been identified by family members as 41-year-old Shally Rahman and her 15-year-old daughter, Samiha Rahman. It is understood that everyone involved knew each other. Matiur Rahman, Shally’s brother-in-law, described the scene, saying that the family had been enjoying their seaside holiday when “a big wave came and took them.” Speaking from Bangladesh, Matiur expressed the family’s shock and grief, saying, “My whole family, we are, like, speechless. We are very shocked. We can’t explain [what has happened].” He added that Samiha was a “very, very good person” and Shally was “a very helpful person.”

Eyewitnesses reported that bystanders, including teenagers working at a nearby beach diner and an off-duty paramedic walking their dog, rushed to assist as the crisis unfolded. The prompt actions of emergency services, such as the HM Coastguard and RNLI teams, were praised for their professionalism and swift response. Carl Powling, a local councillor, highlighted the dangers of the area, pointing out that the high tide can drag swimmers out to sea and cautioned that the locality can be hazardous for those unfamiliar with it. His daughter Leonie, one of the young people who helped at the scene, recounted how she tried to find a paddleboard to aid the rescue efforts and witnessed others performing CPR.

The community has been deeply affected by the incident, with local residents coming together to offer support and pay tribute. Reverend Jo Parrott, whose husband is an RNLI volunteer who responded to the emergency, opened the local church to provide a space for prayer and solace. Residents like Rita Coombs and Harriet Whiteside laid flowers at the beach to honor those involved, describing the incident as “absolutely horrific” and “tragic.” Another nearby resident, Claire Douglas, expressed her sorrow and noted how no one left the scene without doing everything they could to help, despite feeling helpless. The investigation into the circumstances continues, with police appealing for anyone with information to come forward

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