Call for safety measures to avoid another drowning

A water campaigner who watched a mother and daughter drown has warned that another tragedy could happen if safety measures are not installed.

Wendy Bird said not enough signage was in place telling visitors to West Mersea beach in Essex of the water's danger.

Shelina Rahman, 41, and 15-year-old Sameeha died there on Wednesday afternoon while visiting from Barking, east London.

A statement from Colchester City Council and West Mersea Town Council said new signage was going to be installed in due course.

The authorities have been offered money from a fundraiser, set up by Bird, to pay for the measures.

"As far as I could see, there were no life rings or anything to be had," said Bird, who has raised more than £3,400 after witnessing the tragedy.

"I've lived here forever and we have to respect the sea. But for people that maybe are just visiting or renting a beach hut, they don't know."

Extra life rings, life jackets and information points have all been suggested as possible safety improvements.

In June 2023, David Cole, 30, drowned at the same beach when he was caught in a rip tide.

"More lives are going to be lost if nothing's done, and that's the bottom line," Bird said, becoming tearful.

"If it's to do with funding, then you take the money and you spend it on the safety equipment and awareness."

A relative of the Rahmans has said they were swept away by a "very strong" tide, while police said they were trying to save a seven-year-old boy.

Colchester City Council commissioned an independent beach risk assessment earlier in 2026, which found it was taking a "reasonable approach" to managing risks in West Mersea.

However, it identified opportunities to update signage.

In a joint statement with West Mersea Town Council, Liberal Democrat councillor David King said he would consider any lessons that could be learned from Wednesday's incident.

"We understand the concerns being expressed by the community and welcome the passion and local knowledge of those committed to improving water safety in Mersea," he added.

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.