A relative of Shelina and Sameeha Rahman has said the mum and daughter died after members of his family were caught in a particularly strong tide in Mersea, Essex, last Wednesday
A mum and daughter who died in the Mersea beach tragedy were pulled to their deaths by a “very strong tide”, a relative has said today.
Teacher Shelina Rahman, 41, and 15-year-old Sameeha died after getting into trouble in the water on the beach on Mersea Island, Essex, as they tried to save Sameeha’s seven-year-old cousin, Musa Rahman. The little boy continues to fight for his life in hospital and, his dad Shahin Ahmed who was also present last Wednesday, has today told how tragedy unfolded just 20 minutes before the family was about to head home following their day out.
Mr Ahmed said: “One tide, when it hit them hard all of them their feet went off… And this is where the panic mode started. This was 20 minutes before we were going to go home. The whole day, alhamdulillah (praise be to God), was really nice.”
Some 40 people have drowned in open water across the UK since May 24, during which there has been several near-successive heatwaves. We reinforce the Mirror’s Save Lives for Sam campaign to urge the Government to take urgent action following the harrowing few months.
It is believed Shelina and Sameeha succumbed to a particularly powerful tide. Mersea is one of the most obscurely located islands in the country, because its accessibility is largely dictated by the ever-changing tides. Twice a day the single road in and out of the island becomes flooded, with some unlucky holidaymakers finding themselves trapped for up to four hours at a time.
Speaking to Surma News, a Bangladeshi publication, Mr Ahmed said 12 of his family members were visiting the beach on the afternoon the tragedy took place. Mr Ahmed was packing his car when he was alerted to the struggles, and jumped in the water in a desperate attempt to save his relations. The three were eventually pulled to the shore by bystanders, including 42-year-old Craig Bowe. The kitchen fitter hauled Shelina and Sameeha to the shore and helped Musa onto a lifeboat.
Mr Bowe’s wife, Carly, was among those who attempted to rescuscitate the mum and daughter on the shore.
Dr Mansur Rahman, the husband of Shelina and father of Sameeha, who leads Jubo Dal UK, the youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), shared his grief on Sunday. The dad, who lives in Ilford, east London, delivered a tearful address flanked by members of his family on either side.
He said: “It is with profound sadness that I share the heartbreaking news that my beloved daughter and my beloved wife passed away following a tragic accident on Wednesday.
“By the will of Allah (SWT), they returned to their creator after drowning in the water. ‘I would also like to thank everyone in our community who has called, sent messages, and reached out to support us during this difficult time. I have not been able to answer many phone calls, but please know that I have not intentionally ignored anyone.
“The overwhelming support, love, and prayers from all of you mean more to us than words can express.”
