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A summer holiday outing ended in deep tragedy on Wednesday evening when two members of a British-Bangladeshi family lost their lives off the coast of West Mersea, near Colchester, while attempting to rescue a young relative caught in strong ocean currents.
Official sources confirm two fatalities: 42-year-old Selina Rahman and her 15-year-old daughter, Samia Rahman. The young nephew whom they bravely attempted to save was airlifted to a London hospital, where he remains under medical treatment. Two additional family members received medical care for non-life-threatening injuries.
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Selina Rahman was the wife of Dr. Sheikh Mansur Rahman, Vice President of the UK chapter of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal and son of the late Sheikh Mokon Mia, former chairman of Mollargaon Union Parishad in South Surma, Sylhet.
A Heroic Sacrifice Amid Hidden Dangers
It has been learned that family members had traveled to the coastal location in two vehicles to enjoy the summer holiday. While relaxing along the shoreline near Seaview Avenue / Sea View Holiday Park, the nephew was suddenly caught in incoming high tides and powerful currents.
Seeing the child in distress, Selina and her teenage daughter Samia courageously entered the water to save him. Tragically, as neither the mother nor the daughter knew how to swim, both were rapidly overwhelmed by the tide. Other family members who were able to swim managed to survive the harrowing ordeal.
Emergency responders—including the East of England Ambulance Service, Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), HM Coastguard helicopters, and RNLI lifeboats from West Mersea and Clacton-on-Sea—were dispatched at approximately 17:35 BST. Despite CPR and resuscitation attempts on the beach, both Selina and Samia died at the scene.
Community Response and Investigation
The tragedy has sent waves of grief through both the Mersea Island community and the wider British-Bangladeshi diaspora. Local residents have laid floral tributes near the beach to honor the victims. Colchester City Councillor Carl Powling noted that his 19-year-old daughter and other local teenagers working nearby rushed to assist by calling emergency services and managing onlookers.
Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher of Essex Police confirmed enquiries remain ongoing:
"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 enquiries. We ask anyone who was at the beach at the time to please get in touch to help us understand what happened."
Family representative Sheikh Mahfuzur Rahman Munna stated that the exact time and location for the Janazah (funeral prayers) will be formally announced once the necessary official procedures are completed and the bodies are released to the family.
