The deaths of Samiha Rahman and her mother, Shelina, are a tragedy beyond words. Samiha was 15 when she tried to save her seven-year-old cousin as the tide swept in at West Mersea. Her courage was extraordinary. The loss suffered by this family is unbearable. Which is why it must force Britain to confront a deadly inequality.
Drowning risk for minority children
Children from African, Caribbean and Asian backgrounds are three-and-a-half times more likely to drown. Too many families lack access to affordable swimming lessons, while too many youngsters reach summer without basic survival skills.
That is why the Mirror’s Save Lives for Sam campaign matters. We are demanding compulsory water-safety lessons, a national awareness drive, proper rescue equipment at dangerous waters and Sam’s Law to make those protections permanent.
Swimming as a life skill
Swimming is not a luxury or a sporting extra. It is a life skill. Samiha died trying to save someone she loved. Her bravery must now be matched by action that saves other families from the same devastation.
