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A summer family outing ended in profound grief on Wednesday evening after British-Bangladeshi teacher Shelina Rahman, in her 40s, and her 15-year-old daughter, Sameeha Rahman, tragically drowned off the coast of West Mersea near Colchester, Essex.
The mother and daughter lost their lives near Seaview Avenue while attempting to rescue young family members caught in rapid estuary tides. Official sources confirm that a seven-year-old relative was airlifted to a London hospital, where he remains on life support in critical condition. Two other family members received hospital treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
Shelina Rahman was a respected teacher, and her husband is Dr. Monsur Rahman, leader of Jubo Dal UK, the overseas youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Britain. Shelina’s father, Mujibur Rahman, shared that his daughter had visited him earlier on Wednesday before heading to the beach with her family, stating that relatives are still struggling to comprehend the devastating loss.
Sudden Tide and Tragic Rescue Attempt
According to eyewitnesses and police updates, the family had traveled to the coast in two vehicles to enjoy the warm weather. While relaxing near the shoreline near Sea View Holiday Park, several children were playing on a sandbank as the tide rapidly swept in around 17:35 BST.
The incoming tide, paired with strong estuary currents, caused the sandbank beneath the children's feet to collapse, sweeping them into deeper water over 330 feet from the shore. Seeing the children in distress, Shelina and Sameeha courageously rushed into the sea to save them. Community representatives familiar with the incident noted that neither Shelina nor Sameeha knew how to swim, and both were quickly overwhelmed by the rising water.
Beachgoer Chris Whitehead, 66, recalled hearing cries from a man shouting, "That’s my family!" as the children were swept out. Her daughter-in-law, Steph Phillip, alerted emergency services, who arrived within minutes after being flagged down by a bystander. Local beach hut workers, including 19-year-old Leonie Powling and 18-year-old Kiera French, rushed to assist, sitting with victims as they were brought ashore and helping manage crowds.
Emergency Response and Investigation
A major multi-agency rescue effort was launched involving HM Coastguard helicopters, RNLI lifeboats from West Mersea and Clacton-on-Sea, the East of England Ambulance Service, and the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART). Despite exhaustive CPR attempts on the beach by emergency responders, both Shelina and Sameeha were pronounced dead at the scene.
Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher of Essex Police stated:
"Today, our thoughts remain with the family members who are coming to terms with their loss. We are grateful to the people who have already spoken to us and helped with our inquiries. We would ask anyone who was at the beach at the time, and who has not yet spoken with officers, to please get in touch to help us understand what happened."
Family members confirmed that formal details regarding the Janazah (funeral prayers) will be announced once police and coroner procedures are completed and the bodies are released to the family.
