Musa Ahmed, seven, died at the Royal London Hospital on July 28, six days after getting into difficulty in the sea at West Mersea Beach in Essex during a family day trip. The incident, first reported to Essex Police at 5.35pm on July 22, involved six relatives, including Musa.
Fifteen-year-old Sameeha and her mother, Shelina Rahman, 41, died at the scene. Musa was rescued from the water and airlifted to hospital, while three other relatives were also taken to hospital. The family had travelled from Ilford, east London, to West Mersea that morning.
Father describes desperate attempt to save son
In a statement shared on a fundraising page, Musa's father, Shahin Ahmed, recalled the moment the day out turned into "every parent's worst nightmare". He said: "Twenty minutes before we were due to leave, our family outing became every parent's worst nightmare.
"One moment I was putting our belongings into the boot of the car. The next, I heard screaming.
"I ran towards my family, only to find myself repeatedly pushed back by the force of the waves.
"There is a helplessness in that moment that no words can truly capture. As a father, every instinct tells you to protect your family. But standing before the sea, you quickly realise there are moments when love alone cannot overcome the force of nature.
"The tragedy didn't begin because we ignored danger. It began because we never knew it was there."
Tribute to a kind and curious boy
Paying tribute to his son, Mr Ahmed said: "He had the kind of smile that made people smile back without thinking. He was bright-eyed, endlessly curious, and full of the kind of joy that filled every room he walked into.
"He had a beautiful way of making people feel seen. He greeted everyone with warmth, loved deeply, and was always the first to offer a helping hand.
"That was simply who he was. Kindness came naturally to him. Helping others came naturally to him"
Mr Ahmed said he hopes to honour Musa's memory by setting up a programme to provide young people with first aid and water safety training. He added: "The story of Musa didn't end at the shoreline. That's where our responsibility began."
Calls for improved safety measures
The incident has prompted calls for improved safety measures at West Mersea Beach, including warning signs and life jackets. Colchester City Council and West Mersea Town Council have both said warning signs are due to be installed.
Mr Ahmed also thanked the people of West Mersea, including Mr Bowe, who entered the water to help rescue his family. He said: "You acted. For that, our family will remain forever grateful."
He also thanked the emergency services and everyone who has supported the family since the tragedy.
