A heroic day-tripper has been credited with saving the lives of two children after a devastating beach tragedy in West Mersea, near Colchester, on Wednesday evening. The mother and daughter who were trying to rescue the boy also lost their lives in the incident.
According to eyewitnesses, the heroic swimmer dove into the water three times to rescue the children, battling against the strong tide and cold water.
Shally Rahman, 41, and her 15-year-old daughter, Samiha, were trying to rescue a seven-year-old boy from the water when they got into difficulty and died. The boy, who is from Barking, east London, remains in hospital, fighting for his life.
Essex Police are investigating the tragedy and have appealed for witnesses to come forward. Det Ch Insp Al Pitcher said: 'We are working through speaking to dozens of witnesses and taking their accounts, and we are building a picture of what happened. These inquiries are ongoing and I need anyone who has any information to get in contact.'
The incident has left the community in shock, with many people paying tribute to the bravery of the heroic swimmer. The family of the victims has also spoken out, saying they are 'speechless' about the tragedy.