Locals have expressed anger after a risk assessment of West Mersea beach four months ago concluded that life-saving equipment was 'not recommended' before a mother and daughter died.
Shally Rahman, 41, and Samiha, 15, died after getting into difficulty in the water on a day trip to Mersea Island, Essex on Wednesday evening. They had tried to save Samiha's seven-year-old cousin, who remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Risk assessment findings
Colchester Council said an independent Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) UK beach risk assessment was carried out on West Mersea Beach four months ago. It found that rescue equipment was 'not recommended' as it was 'unlikely to be deployed effectively' due to factors including the beach profile, tidal range and lateral currents.
A council spokesperson said 'decisions on water safety measures' are 'informed by professional risk assessments and advice from specialist organisations'.
Campaigner's frustration
Safety campaigner Stephen Vince, 74, claimed his pleas for better signage and more life-saving equipment had been ignored. He told the Mirror: 'When I asked the council before, they said it had nothing to do with them. They're just interested in charging £9.45 to park your car.'
Vince said he helped set up eight life belts and rafts for children on the beach himself this summer after a fundraising effort raised £2,000. The last six belts were installed on Tuesday, only 24 hours before the tragedy. A life belt from a windsurfers club was used during the rescue.
He said: 'The council have a social and moral responsibility for health and safety. We want more rings along the beach - on building sites near water they have to be every 50 yards - it should be the same on the beach.'
Eyewitness accounts
Beach hut owner Beverly Smit, 60, said she heard the emergency response and went to see what was happening. She described the incident as a 'massive scale of rescue and tragedy really'. She said a day tripper swam out three times to help, bringing back two children who were 'not in good condition'.
West Mersea Beach was the site of a previous tragedy in June 2023, when 30-year-old David Cole died saving his three-year-old son from a riptide. Locals have long called for more warning signs and equipment.
Police and council response
Essex Police Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher confirmed the victims were a mother and daughter from London. He said: 'We believe they were trying to help a seven year-old boy who had got into difficulties.'
Prime Minister Andy Burnham vowed to support local authorities, saying: 'It does bring over, sometimes, the dangers of open water swimming at this time of the year.'
Cllr David King, Deputy Leader of Colchester City Council, said: 'This tragedy is a stark reminder of the importance of taking care in and around the water.'
