Craig Bowe was enjoying a family day trip to West Mersea with his wife and daughter when he heard harrowing screams coming from the sea – he has described the moment he decided to step in and help
A dad on a family day trip to West Mersea has reflected on his attempts to save a mother and daughter who drowned off an Essex beach.
Craig Bowe, 42, was on a day trip from Hertfordshire to celebrate his daughter’s 10th birthday they arrived at the beach at about 11am and recalled seeing the victims having a “great time” together, until several houts later they heard harrowing screams coming from the water on Wednesday evening.
Without hesitation Craig sprang into action and managed to haul Shally and Samiha Rahman from the waves and also helped a seven-year-old boy onto a lifeboat. However, despite his efforts Shally and Samiha – aged 41 and 15 – sadly died at the scene. While the young boy was airlifted to hospital and remained there in a critical condition on Friday.
The tragedy unfolfed at around 5.35pm when Samiha had tried in vain along with her mother Shally to save her seven-year-old cousin from the water . The mother and daughter were reportedly caught in the high tide and, despite the the valiant efforts of teenagers on the beach, were unable to be saved.
Craig, from Northaw, sprang into action after hearing a man screaming in the water and seeing bodies floating. He told the BBC: “When I got there, the first two people I saw were actually face down, so [it was] more serious than I initially thought.”
Speaking about how he helped load the seven-year-old boy and another child, who were about 150 yards (137m) out at sea, onto a lifeboat he said: “I helped sort of shoo him onto the boat, because he was face down too… but the seven-year-old was not in a good way.”
Bowe’s wife, Carly, was among the group of people trying to resuscitate the mother and daughter on the sand. She told the BBC: “I just wanted them to survive and every bit of me was willing her to breathe.”
She added: “Everybody on that beach that day played their part in giving that family the best chance they could to survive. Everyone really stepped up and it was incredible to see.”
Essex Police’s Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher said: “My thoughts, and those of my team, are with the friends and family of the woman and girl who died yesterday. We can now confirm they were a mother and daughter from London and we are supporting their family in what is an unimaginable time.
“Since yesterday we have been working to establish the circumstances which led up to this incident. At this stage we believe they were trying to help a seven year-old boy who had got into difficulties.
“The boy was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition but the woman and teenage girl, sadly, died. All the people involved in this incident are related to each other.
“As part of our investigation we are working through speaking to dozens of witnesses and taking their accounts, and we are building a picture of what happened. These enquiries are ongoing and I need anyone who has any information to get in contact.
“Finally, I want to thank the first responders who worked tirelessly to try save their lives and I want to pay tribute to their efforts.”
Just days after the tragedy Colchester Council said an independent Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) UK beach risk assessment was carried out on West Mersea Beach four months ago – and found that life-saving equipment was “not recommended” as it was “unlikely to be deployed effectively”.
A spokesperson the council said “decisions on water safety measures” are “informed by professional risk assessments and advice from specialist organisations”.
A Colchester Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of views that have been expressed regarding additional public rescue equipment. However, decisions on water safety measures are informed by professional risk assessments and advice from specialist organisations.
“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.”
Cllr David King, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Local Government Reorganisation, Communities and Public Protection, added: “Everyone at Colchester City Council is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two people following the incident at West Mersea.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with their families, friends and all those affected by this devastating incident. We would also like to pay tribute to the emergency services and volunteers who responded.
“This tragedy is a stark reminder of the importance of taking care in and around the water. We encourage everyone visiting any coastline this summer to follow water safety advice and take appropriate precautions to help keep themselves and others safe.”
The Mirror has launched the Save Lives For Sam water safety campaign to tackle the UK’s growing drowning crisis. Backed by MPs, Olympic champions, national water safety organisations and bereaved families, the campaign is calling for urgent action to make our waters safer.
Find out more about the campaign and how you can support it here.
