A 15-year-old girl and her mother drowned off the Essex coast after being swept out by a “very strong” tide on Wednesday afternoon, according to family and police statements.
Six members of the family were paddling at West Mersea beach when they were knocked off their feet on Wednesday afternoon, according to relative Shahin Ahmed. Ahmed said 12 of them were visiting West Mersea that day, noting that This was 20 minutes before we were going to go home. The whole day, alhamdulillah (praise be to God), was really nice.
The outing took a sudden turn on Wednesday (22 July) when several people got into difficulty in the water near Seaview Avenue.
Essex Police said officers were called by the ambulance service at 5.35pm after reports that several people were having difficulty near Seaview Avenue. The force has since confirmed they believe the mother and daughter entered the water to help the young boy.
Family Grief and Hospital Updates for Survivors
Dr Mansur Rahman and Shahin Ahmed Statement
The incident claimed the lives of Shelina Rahman, 41, and 15-year-old Sameeha. Dr Mansur Rahman, 49, lost his wife Shally Rahman, who was a teacher in her 40s, as well as their 15-year-old daughter Samiha. Speaking to the press about the devastating loss of his wife and daughter, Dr Rahman said: It is with profound sadness that I share the heartbreaking news that my beloved daughter and my beloved wife passed away following a tragic accident on Wednesday.
He added: By the will of Allah, they returned to their creator after drowning in the water.
Dr Rahman also stated: “I would also like to thank everyone in our community who has called, sent messages, and reached out to support us during this difficult time. I have not been able to answer many phone calls, but please know that I have not intentionally ignored anyone. The overwhelming support, love, and prayers from all of you mean more to us than words can express.” Dr Rahman also told The Sun he was still suffering from shock and is ‘fighting to overcome’ the tragedy, while thanking the emergency services and beachgoers who bravely rushed to help.
Musa and Hospitalized Relatives
Other family members fought for survival in the turbulent water. Ahmed’s seven-year-old son Musa was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition, and Ahmed said his son, who is from east London, remained on a life support machine at a hospital in London. Dr Rahman confirmed that his nephew Musa remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and his father is by his side at the hospital. Three others were also taken to another hospital by ambulance after the incident. Dr Rahman confirmed that his elder son, his elder daughter, and some other relatives survived and have returned home safely.
Calls for Safety Reviews and Council Response
West Mersea Beach Safety Measures
In the wake of the tragedy, surviving relatives are pressing for safety improvements along the coastline. Musa’s father Shahin Ahmed released a statement early on Monday (27 July), calling for ‘a review of safety measures’ at the site. He thanked local residents and visitors to the beach who showed ‘exceptional courage, kindness and selflessness as they rushed to assist,’ as well as the emergency services, air ambulance crews and coastguard personnel, and medical staff.
I strongly agree with the calls from local residents for a review of safety measures at West Mersea Beach, including the provision of additional life-saving equipment and clear warning signage. While no action now can undo the pain we are suffering, we hope lessons can be learned to help prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future. The
Colchester City Council and Cllr David King
We recognise and appreciate the community's commitment to water safety and will continue to work with partners to review risks and consider any lessons arising from this tragic incident. As per
Cllr David King, Portfolio Holder for Local Government Reorganisation, Communities and Public Protection, told Tyla in a statement: “Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. We understand the concerns being expressed by the community and welcome the passion and local knowledge of those committed to improving water safety in Mersea.”
While the incident does not appear to have taken place on council-owned land, municipal officials noted they are committed to working with partners through the Mersea Water Safety Forum and with neighbouring landowners to promote clear and consistent water safety messaging along the coastline. The council noted that earlier this year, it commissioned an independent beach risk assessment for council-owned land, which concluded that the council was taking a reasonable approach to managing water safety risks and identified opportunities to update signage, which is already underway and due to be completed shortly.
The assessment also recognised the challenging nature of this stretch of coastline and noted that, despite the provision of signage and other safety measures, it remains foreseeable that people can get into difficulty in the water due to the area's complex tidal movements and changing conditions. The sea is beautiful, but it can also be unpredictable and dangerous. We encourage everyone visiting the coast to follow water safety advice and take care in and around the water. As more information becomes available, we will continue to work with partners to consider any lessons that can be learned from this tragic incident. The
