Musa Ahmed, a seven-year-old boy, has died a week after an incident off the Essex coast in which his teenage cousin and her mother died while trying to rescue him. He had been receiving treatment for life-threatening injuries after being pulled from the sea near West Mersea beach on 22 July.
Family statement and background
Shelina Rahman, 41, and her 15-year-old daughter, Sameeha, died in the same incident. In a statement, the family said: “We would like to thank the Royal London hospital intensive care unit team of doctors and nurses who demonstrated outstanding care and dignity whilst we have been at the hospital. We would also like to thank the whole community for their support and prayers. We would appreciate privacy during this very difficult time.”
Rahman and her daughter had reportedly been attempting to help the seven-year-old after he got into difficulty. Rahman’s husband is Mansur Rahman, the leader of Jubo Dal UK, the overseas youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist party in Britain. Her father is Mujibur Rahman, a former vice-president of the party in Britain.
Circumstances of the incident
The family are understood to have been on a summer holiday trip to West Mersea when three adults and three children got into difficulty after a heavy incoming tide caused the sand beneath their feet to give way and swept them into the water.
Earlier this week, Shahin Ahmed, Musa’s father, shared a statement calling for a review of safety measures at the beach. He said: “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.”
Police and ambulance response
Essex police previously said officers were called by the ambulance service at 5.35pm on 22 July after reports that several people had got into difficulty in the water near Seaview Avenue. The East of England ambulance service said one patient was transported by air and three by road to hospital after the incident at Sea View holiday park.
Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher, leading the police investigation, said: “All our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved – as has been the case since this incident took place last week. Their bravery and strength has been humbling. We continue to build a complete picture of the circumstances which led up to this incident and our work is continuing alongside our partners.”
