A seven-year-old boy has died in hospital nearly a week after a tragic incident off the coast of Essex, where his aunt and cousin drowned while trying to rescue him. The incident occurred on July 22 at West Mersea beach, near Colchester, when Musa Ahmed and several family members got into difficulty in the water.

Musa, who was flown to hospital with life-threatening injuries, passed away following the incident. His aunt, Shelina Rahman, 41, and her daughter, Sameeha Rahman, 15, both from Ilford, east London, died at the scene. According to reports, the family had become trapped on a sandbank that was quickly submerged by the incoming tide, which caused them to be swept into deeper water.

Emergency services were called shortly after 5:30 p.m. Essex Police confirmed the events and said investigations are ongoing to understand the full circumstances. Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher, leading the inquiry, expressed condolences to the family and noted that police and partners continue to work to piece together what happened.

Eyewitnesses and local responders played a key role in the rescue efforts. Craig Bowe, 42, reportedly swam through challenging waves to help bring Musa to safety and assisted in pulling other family members from the water. Lifesaving attempts, including CPR administered by bystanders and emergency personnel, were unsuccessful for Shelina and Sameeha Rahman.

Musa's father, Shahin Ahmed, described his son as “a unique, happy personality, a sphere of joy” and shared that Musa died “in a state of ease and peace.” The family has thanked medical staff at the Royal London Hospital for their care and the local community for their support during this difficult time, while requesting privacy.

Following the tragedy, Ahmed called for a review of safety measures at West Mersea beach, urging the installation of more life-saving equipment and clearer warning signs to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Shelina Rahman was known to be a teacher, and her husband, Mansur Rahman, leads Jubo Dal UK, the youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party based in Britain. The family had been on a summer holiday at West Mersea when the accident occurred.

The incident is the latest in a series of open water fatalities linked to this summer's heatwave, with at least 43 deaths reported since late May, including 19 children and teenagers. Authorities continue to warn the public about the risks of swimming in open water under hazardous conditions.