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A seven-year-old boy is reported to be critically ill after a family beach tragedy claimed the life of a London mother and her teenage daughter.
Shally Rahman, 42, and 15-year-old Samiha died trying to rescue the boy who got into trouble in water off a beach in West Mersea, Essex, on Wednesday evening.
Emergency services were called to the beach in West Mersea shortly after 5.30pm amid reports that several people had got into trouble in the water amid high tides.
A younger child, said to be a cousin of Samiha, remained in hospital overnight. Two more people were also in hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
It is understood that the family, who are of Bangladeshi heritage, were visiting West Mersea from their home in east London.
The victims have been named as Shally Rahman, 42, and daughter Samiha Rahman, 15.
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Seven-year-old boy remains in serious condition
A seven-year-old remains in a serious condition following the incident at West Mersea.
It is understood that the child is a cousin of Samiha Rahman, who tragically died in the incident.
Council responds to calls for safety
Colchester Council has responded to calls for better safety in West Mersea.
In a statement to the Mirror, a spokesperson from the council said "decisions on water safety measures" are "informed by professional risk assessments and advice from specialist organisations".
The statement added: "As part of our risk assessment process for the site, the council commissioned an independent RLSS UK beach risk assessment in March 2026, which did not recommend the installation of public rescue equipment within the assessed area of West Mersea beach.
"The assessment concluded that, due to factors including the beach profile, tidal range and lateral currents, public rescue equipment would be unlikely to be deployed effectively in an emergency and was therefore not recommended on that stretch of coastline.
"We continue to work closely with partner organisations through the Mersea Water Safety Forum, a multi-agency partnership that brings together organisations with expertise and responsibilities in water safety.
"Together, the forum assesses local risks and develops and implements measures to help improve safety in and around the water."
The scene in West Mersea, EssexPAWhere is West Mersea?
Mersea Island is a tidal island in Essex. It’s split into two main areas, West Mersea and East Mersea.
Both are connected to the mainland by a causeway, which can flood at high tide, cutting the island off from the mainland.
It’s been a popular holiday destination in the UK, known for its oysters and sea front shops.
Locals have long called for safety measures
Locals have long called for better safety measures in West Mersea.
For those without local knowledge, the area is particularly dangerous as the two sandbanks dip off into deep water during periods of high tide.
It can be very easy to get swept up into currents, with many questioning why there are no warning signs in the area.
Others have suggested signage that explains what to do when stuck in a rip tide.
The scene in West Mersea, Essex (Jamie Lashmar/PA)PA WireWATCH: 'They're not very good swimmers' says family friend
The family friend of Shally and Samiha Rahman has said Shally and Samiha had attempted to save one of the “little ones” when they were swept away in the current.
He said that as far as he knew, neither of them were “very good swimmers.”
You can watch the full interview here:
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Pictured: Shally Rahman and Samiha Rahman
Shally Rahman and her daughter Samiha were pictured for the first time yesterday since news broke of their death at West Mersea beach.
The family has been described as “lovely” with other reports adding that their loved ones are struggling to come to terms with their deaths.
The mother and daughter were part of a group of 10 family members who had travelled from east London to West Mersea for a day trip.
Shally RahmanSocial media 
Family handoutEverything you need to know
The incident at West Mersea on Wednesday has sent shockwaves through the local community.
You can find out everything you need to know here:
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Colchester City Council ‘deeply saddened’ by ‘tragic loss’
Colchester City Council has said everyone is “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a mother and daughter following the incident at West Mersea yesterday.”
In a social media post, the council shared its condolences with the family during “this unimaginably difficult time” and thanked the emergency services for their efforts.
Family members relive tragedy
Shally’s brother-in-law, who told the BBC that he found out about the tragedy over a phone call from his brother.
"They went in Colchester, (to the) seaside and they were near water and playing with them then suddenly a big wave came," he said.
Another family friend, Mishba Uddin, said he believed a young child had got into trouble in the water at West Mersea beach, and an older cousin then tried to help.
He added that the family were “just a working class family going for a day out” and as far as he knew the mother and teenage girl who died “were not very good swimmers”.
Family friend Mishba Uddin speaking to reporters in West Mersea (PA)PA WireWitnesses say heroic bystander saved two children
Witnesses have said a heroic bystander saved two children.
Beverly Smit, 60, told the BBC that an unnamed swimmer swam out to sea three times as the tragedy unfolded on Wednesday evening.
She said: "They were calling for help and the children and adults were out there.
"He swam out, I think, three times. Two of the children he brought back were not in good condition.
"It's not an easy swim when the tide's coming in - you're swimming against the tide. The water [on Wednesday] was particularly quite cold."
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