Very strong tide led to West Mersea drownings, relative says

Sameeha and Shelina Rahman drowned at West Mersea beach on Wednesday

A mother and daughter who drowned off the Essex coast were swept out to sea by a "very strong" tide, a relative has said.

Shahin Ahmed said six members of his family were paddling at West Mersea beach when they were knocked off their feet on Wednesday afternoon.

Shelina Rahman, 41, and 15-year-old Sameeha, died in the tragedy, while Ahmed's seven-year-old son Musa was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition.

Ahmed said his son, who is from east London, remained on a life support machine at a hospital in London.

Three others were also taken to another hospital by ambulance after the incident. Ahmed said 12 of them were visiting West Mersea that day.

"This was 20 minutes before we were going to go home. The whole day, alhamdulillah (praise be to God), was really nice," Ahmed told Bangladeshi newspaper Surma News.

Bystanders have been hailed for their response to the unfolding tragedy

Ahmed said the waves were "quite small" when members of his group paddled with "their legs in the water".

However, he continued: "One tide, when it hit them hard all of them their feet went off… And this is where the panic mode started."

Ahmed, who was packing the car up, said he was alerted to them drowning and rushed back to the beach.

"I went straight in to try and swim – I couldn't. It kept on pushing me back," he added.

Bystanders - including Craig Lowe, who made three rescue attempts - sprung into action as the tragedy unfolded, administering CPR to the Rahmans.

Flowers were left on the beach in the aftermath of the emergency

Ahmed hailed their "amazing" response and offered his thanks to Lowe, who he credited with preventing further deaths.

Det Ch Insp Al Pitcher, of Essex Police, previously said the Rahmans were "trying to help" Musa after he "got into difficulties" in the water.

Ahmed said there was inadequate signage at the beach warning of the water's danger.

Colchester City Council and West Mersea Town Council said water safety signs were going to be installed in due course.

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Mum and daughter who died at beach were trying to save boy, 7