Essex Police confirmed that a woman in her 40s and a teenage girl died after the tide came in while a group of people were on a sandbank near a holiday park. The incident occurred at Sea View Holiday Park in West Mersea, Essex, on Wednesday evening.
Emergency response and casualties
Police were called by the ambulance service at 5:35pm on Wednesday after reports of several people in difficulty in the water near Seaview Avenue. The force confirmed on Thursday morning that a teenage girl and a woman in her 40s had died. A third person remains in hospital in a serious condition, and two others are in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police believe all those involved knew each other.
The East of England Ambulance Service said one patient was transported by air to hospital, and three patients were transported by road. Despite efforts, two patients could not be resuscitated.
Eyewitness accounts
Beach hut owner Beverly Smit, 60, of West Mersea, said she heard the emergency response and went to investigate. She spoke to a day tripper who had rented a neighbouring beach hut and tried to help. "He swam out I think three times. Two of the children he brought back were not in good condition. It's not an easy swim when the tide's coming in, you're swimming against the tide, the water yesterday was particularly quite cold," she said.
Another woman, who did not give her name, said the incident happened at high tide. "The tide was a lot further in than it is now and that sandbank, they were on there and the tide came in. It comes in very quickly and you have to be careful." She described "quite a commotion" and "total panic," with helicopters circling and sirens everywhere.
Police investigation and appeal
Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher said: "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."
Police have been seen walking along the beach near the incident, speaking with the public. Anyone with information or footage is asked to call 101 and quote incident 1090.
