A family beach outing at West Mersea in Essex turns fatal after several people get into difficulty in the sea. Multiple reports say a group of five relatives entered the water near Seaview Avenue around 5.35pm on July 22 and were caught by changing conditions, including strong currents and dangerous rip tides. Essex Police say a 7-year-old boy is pulled unconscious from the water and is flown to the Royal London Hospital, where he is treated in critical condition on life support but later dies. Earlier accounts identify the adults and teen involved in the rescue attempt: a mother, Shally Rahman (also reported as Shelina Rahman), 41/42, and her 15-year-old daughter, Samiha Rahman (also reported as Sameeha/Samia). They are said to drown while trying to save the boy before emergency responders reach them. Reports also say two other relatives involved in the incident receive non-life-threatening injuries. Emergency services including the Coastguard, ambulance teams, RNLI and Essex Police respond to reports of multiple people in distress. Police confirm the circumstances remain under investigation and appeal for anyone with information, photographs or video to contact them, quoting the incident number 1090 of July 22.
Three die after West Mersea beach incident involving family rescue attempt
A family beach outing at West Mersea in Essex turns fatal after several people get into difficulty in the sea. Multiple reports say a group of five relatives entered the water near Seaview Avenue arou...
- A group of five family members got into difficulty in the sea near Seaview Avenue, West Mersea, Essex around 5.35pm on July 22.
- The 7-year-old boy is rescued and taken to the Royal London Hospital in critical condition but later dies.
- The boy’s mother (41/42) and 15-year-old daughter are reported to have drowned while attempting to help him.
- Two other relatives involved in the incident sustain injuries that are described as non-life-threatening.
- Essex Police say the circumstances are under investigation and ask witnesses to contact them with information or footage, quoting incident number 1090.
A heartbreaking family outing to the beach in Essex has ended in unimaginable loss after a seven-year-old boy died in hospital days after he was pulled unconscious from the sea at West Mersea.The child had been airlifted to the Royal London Hospital in a coma following the incident on the evening of July 22. Essex Police confirmed that despite the efforts of doctors and intensive care specialists, the boy could not be saved.His death comes after his mother, 41-year-old Shelina Rahman, and his 15-year-old sister, Sameeha Rahman, drowned while attempting to rescue him from the water.Rescue Attempt Ends In TragedyAccording to police, five members of the same family got into difficulty in the sea near Seaview Avenue at West Mersea, close to Colchester. Hero Muslim girl, 15, killed with her mum, 41, while trying to save boy, 7 at popular Essex beachSelina Rahman, 41, and her daughter Samia Rahman were among a group of five caught up in the horror at West Mersea, near Colchester, in Essex, yesterday evening. pic.twitter.com/1EvZqvYeCZ— NYC News 24 ️ (@NYCNews24) July 23, 2026 As the young boy struggled in the water, Shelina Rahman and her teenage daughter rushed into the sea in an attempt to save him. Both were overwhelmed by the strong currents and swept away before emergency responders could reach them.The boy was rescued and flown to hospital in critical condition, where he remained on life support before succumbing to his injuries.Two other relatives involved in the incident sustained non-life-threatening injuries.Family Pays Tribute, Requests PrivacyIn a statement released through Essex Police, the boy's family thanked the doctors and nurses at the Royal London Hospital for caring for him during his final days.They also requested privacy as they mourn the devastating loss of three members of the same family.Meanwhile, Dr. Mansur Rahman, who lost both his wife and teenage daughter in the tragedy, said he remained in shock and appealed to people to keep the family in their prayers.Witnesses Describe Rapidly Changing Sea ConditionsWitnesses said the family had been near a sandbank when the tide changed suddenly, catching them off guard.Local residents said the area is known for powerful currents and dangerous rip tides, which can become hazardous within minutes.One eyewitness, Craig Bowe, jumped into the sea after noticing several people floating face-down in the water, while a grandmother reportedly watched helplessly as her daughter and granddaughter were carried away by the currents.Emergency crews, including Essex Police, the Coastguard, ambulance teams and the RNLI, rushed to the beach after receiving reports of multiple people in distress at around 5.35 pm.Tragedy In United Kingdom: 2 Hyderabad Students Die In Car Accident After Ganesh Immersion In Essex Police Appeal For InformationDetective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher said the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.Police have appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident or has photographs or video footage to come forward by contacting Essex Police and quoting incident number 1090 of July 22.The tragedy has also renewed calls from local residents for stronger beach safety measures, with many pointing to previous incidents in the area and urging authorities to improve public awareness about dangerous tides and rip currents.
3 hours agoVictims named as Shally Rahman, 42, and daughter Samiha Rahman, 15
5 days agoLatest updates on family beach tragedy which claimed lives of Shally Rahman, 42, and her 15-year-old daughter Samiha
5 days agoVictims named as Shally Rahman, 42, and daughter Samiha Rahman, 15
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