How a holidaymaker helped children to safety during tragic Essex beach incident

TravelFamily & Parenting
24 Jul 2026 • 4:48 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

How a holidaymaker helped children to safety during tragic Essex beach incident

  • Shally Rahman, 41, and her daughter Samiha Rahman, 15, tragically drowned after getting into difficulty in the water at West Mersea beach in Essex on Wednesday evening.
  • Police believe the mother and daughter were attempting to help a seven-year-old boy, who is related to them and remains in hospital in a critical condition.
  • A heroic holidaymaker, described as a day tripper, reportedly swam out 'three times' against the tide to rescue multiple children who were struggling in the water.
  • The grieving family, who were visiting from east London and Barking, expressed that they are 'speechless and shocked' by the tragedy, noting that Shally and Samiha were 'not very good swimmers'.
  • Essex Police are currently speaking to dozens of witnesses to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and are supporting the family during this unimaginable time.

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