A teenage girl died trying to save her seven-year-old cousin who “got into trouble” as the tide came in on West Mersea beach, according to a family friend. Mishba Uddin said the 15-year-old girl and her mother, who also died, “were not very good swimmers” and were just on a “day out” at the beach.
Police confirm deaths and injuries
Essex Police said officers were called by the ambulance service at 5.35pm on Wednesday after reports that several people had got into difficulty in the water near Seaview Avenue, West Mersea, Essex. The force confirmed on Thursday morning that a teenage girl and a woman in her 40s had died, while a third person is in a serious condition and two others are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries in hospital. Police said they believe those involved in the incident knew each other.
Family friend describes events
Family friend Mr Uddin, of Colchester, visited the scene on Thursday and told reporters the families involved had come down for the day from east London and Barking. He said that the child in critical condition was a seven-year-old girl, and was the cousin of the deceased child – a teenage girl, who he said was aged 15. He said he heard that “the little one got into trouble then the other one tried to save” her. He added that the family were “just a working class family going for a day out”. “We as a whole community are in shock actually,” said Mr Uddin.
Beach hut owner Beverly Smit, 60, of West Mersea, said she heard the emergency response and went to see what was going on. “By that time they were re-sussing the person on the beach, the helicopters were still in the fields,” said Ms Smit. She said that she spoke to a day tripper who had rented a neighbouring beach hut and had tried to help. “He saw and they were calling for help and the children and adults were out there,” she said. “He swam out I think three times. Two of the children he brought back were not in good condition. It’s not an easy swim when the tide’s coming in, you’re swimming against the tide, the water yesterday was particularly quite cold.”
Prime Minister and local councillor respond
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told ITV Anglia he was “so sad to hear the news” but admitted he did not have the details of the case. 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. But thank you to the emergency services who stepped in and of course, you know, we will work to support the local authorities as we get to the bottom of this.”
A woman, who did not give her name, said the incident at West Mersea happened at high tide. She told the Press Association: “The tide was a lot further in than it is now and that sandbank, they were on there and the tide came in. It comes in very quickly and you have to be careful.”
Carl Powling, a councillor for Colchester Council, said his daughter is one of three teenage waitresses at a local cafe who tried to help. He told the Press Association: “Three teenage girls, the waitresses in there, actually came out. One of them was on the phone directing the police where to come, the other two were on the beach assisting with the first aid, keeping people away from filming it as well. Very level-headed, absolutely amazing for that age group.” He said they helped until the coastguard arrived and there was a “phenomenal speed” of response.
Police appeal for information
Emergency services had urged people to avoid part of the beach in Essex after what the coastguard rescue team described as a “tragic incident”. The West Mersea Coastguard Rescue Team said: “Our thoughts are with the family involved.” Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher said: “We would ask anyone who was at the beach at the time, and who has not yet spoken with officers, to please get in touch, to help us understand what happened.”
