A mother and her teenage daughter died at West Mersea beach in Essex on Wednesday evening after attempting to rescue a seven-year-old boy who got into difficulty in the sea. Shelina Rahman, 41, a teacher, and her 15-year-old daughter Sameeha (also reported as Samia or Samiha) drowned during the incident, which unfolded amid strong tides and currents near Seaview Avenue.

The family was on a summer holiday trip when the boy, believed to be a cousin of Sameeha, was swept away by a heavy incoming tide. Several family members were involved, with two others sustaining non-life-threatening injuries and also receiving hospital treatment. The boy remains in critical condition in a London hospital on life support.

Emergency services were alerted at around 5:35 p.m. and responded with multiple ambulances, police cars, a lifeboat, two air ambulances, a fire engine, and coastguard support. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as family members and bystanders struggled in the fast-moving water. Some members of the public and staff from a nearby cafe attempted to assist in pulling those in distress from the sea.

Essex Police Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher confirmed that all those involved were related and that the mother and daughter drowned while trying to help the young boy. Authorities are continuing their investigation, having spoken to numerous witnesses to establish the full circumstances of the tragedy.

The location is known for strong currents and rapidly changing tides. Some eyewitnesses said the group had been caught on a sandbank as the tide came in, a factor that may have contributed to the incident. Others noted the quick influx of water and the difficulty of swimming against the current, especially for those who may not have been strong swimmers.

The deceased, Shelina Rahman, was married to Dr Mansur Rahman, who leads Jubo Dal UK, the overseas youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in Britain. Shelina is also the daughter of Mujibur Rahman, a former vice president of the party’s UK branch. Family friends and community members described the family as well-liked and expressed shock and grief over the loss.

Local officials and emergency personnel praised the efforts of the responders and urged the public to observe water safety guidelines, especially in areas prone to strong tides. Colchester Council’s councillor Carl Powling highlighted the bravery of several café staff who rushed to help during the incident.

The police have appealed for anyone who was in the vicinity and may have information or video footage to contact them to assist in the ongoing inquiry. The tragedy has underscored concerns about water safety in the area, although some local representatives noted that West Mersea beach is not typically regarded as dangerous.

The incident marks one of several recent accidental drownings in open water across the UK, drawing renewed attention to the risks posed by coastal tides and currents during the summer months.