A mother and daughter from east London have died after reportedly trying to rescue a seven-year-old family member from the water in Essex. The victims have been named as Shally Rahman, 42, and Samiha Rahman, 15.
Emergency services were called to the beach in West Mersea shortly after 5.30pm on Wednesday evening amid reports that several people had got into trouble in the water amid high tides. A seven-year-old child, said to be a cousin of Samiha, remains in serious condition in hospital, according to reports. Two more people are also in hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
It is understood that the family, who are of Bangladeshi heritage, were visiting West Mersea from their home in east London. Essex Police said: “Despite the efforts of the emergency services, we can sadly confirm that a teenage girl and a woman in her 40s have died.”
Police appeal for information
Following a statement confirming the two victims were mother and daughter, police asked anyone with information to come forward. This includes eyewitnesses and anyone who may have relevant footage. Essex Police also said that the victims’ family had asked for privacy following the tragedy.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Anyone who was in the area at the time and has information or footage which may assist our investigation is asked to contact us on 101 and quote incident 1090.”
Family tribute
Matiur Rahman, the brother-in-law of Shally Rahman, spoke of the family’s shock following the incident. He told the BBC: "We all feel very bad, my four brothers, my sister... everybody in the UK and back home [in Bangladesh]."
"My whole family - we are speechless. We can't believe what we heard from my brother. We are very shocked." Speaking about his sister-in-law, he added: "Shally was a helpful person. She was a housewife and looked after the kids. She was very good actually."
Shally Rahman’s brother in law also said he was left in tears after speaking to his brother over the phone. “They went in Colchester, [to the] seaside and they were near water and playing with them, then suddenly a big wave came,” he said. It is understood that around 10 members of the family were in attendance on the day trip.
Prime Minister comments
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was “so sad to hear the news” but added: “I don’t have the details at this moment in time.” He added: “It does bring over, sometimes, the dangers of open water swimming at this time of the year. I just would ask people to consider that.”
Community in shock
Family friend Mishba Uddin, of Colchester, visited the scene at West Mersea on Thursday. He said that those involved “all came from London, they live in east London, one family live in Barking as far as I know, I don’t know about the other family”.
Mr Uddin said he believed a young child had got into trouble in the water, and that an older cousin then tried to help. He said the family were “just a working-class family going for a day out”. “We as a whole community are in shock actually,” he said. Mr Uddin said that as far as he knew the mother and teenage girl who died “were not very good swimmers”.
Floral tributes have been left at the scene on the beach at West Mersea. One bouquet of sunflowers has a note that reads: "For a courageous mother and a brave young girl. RIP. Love and thoughts to your family."
