Mother and daughter, 15, drown after going into sea to rescue girl, six, who was being swept away

A mother and her 15-year-old daughter have drowned off an Essex beach after going into the sea to try and rescue a six-year-old girl who had been swept away by the rising tide.

Emergency services were called to West Mersea beach, near Colchester, at around 5.30pm yesterday following reports that several people needed rescuing in the water, according to police.

It is understood they might have found themselves struggling off the coast amid high tides. 

A third person has been hospitalised and is in a serious condition, while two others also remain in hospital left with non-life-threatening injuries.

East of England Ambulance Service said one person was airlifted to hospital while a further three were taken by road.

West Mersea Coastguard Rescue Team said it had 'responded to a tragic incident' yesterday and that its thoughts were 'with the family involved'.

News website Daily Dazzling Dawn reported that the victims in the incident were a mother and her 15-year-old daughter.

It said the fatalities had been confirmed by Abul Kalam Azad, convenor of the UK Bangladeshi National Party (BNP), and Khosruzzaman Khosru, the party's UK member secretary.

The report added: 'The family was enjoying a summer holiday trip to the seaside when the heartbreaking incident occurred.

'Other injured family members were airlifted to a London hospital by helicopter.'

The report continued: 'Our source confirmed that the tragedy occurred due to an incoming high tide at West Mersea.

'The family was sitting near the shoreline when a six-year-old child was suddenly swept away by strong currents. Rushing into the water to save the child, both the mother and daughter tragically drowned.'

Daily Dazzling Dawn did not name the victims, but confirmed that the woman was the daughter of Mujibur Rahman, former vice president of the UK BNP, originally from Chhatak Upazila in Sylhet, Bangladesh.

Mr Rahman is said to have confirmed to Daily Dazzling Dawn that he was on the beach at the time 'but was too overwhelmed to speak further'.

The website also confirmed that she was the wife of Dr Mansur Rahman, the leader of Jubo Dal, the youth wing of the BNP. Dr Rahman is also the son on Sylhet BNP leader Sheikh Makhan Mia.

At least six ambulances, a dozen police cars, a fire engine, a lifeboat, two air ambulances and a coastguard helicopter were sent to the scene yesterday.

One coastguard truck remained on the shingle beach into the night near an area which was cordoned off with a wind break. 

Other emergency vehicles were parked behind a row of multi-coloured pastel beach huts beside the West Mersea Holiday Park. 

The area is known for its strong currents that can take swimmers and tourists by surprise. 

Essex Police 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 enquiries. 

'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.'

The force added that its thoughts are with the family and loved ones of those affected at this very difficult time.

One holidaymaker said: 'We heard that the incident involved an Asian family. Children got into difficulty and adults went in the water after them, only to get into difficulty as well. 

'Other people on the beach went into the water to try and help, but it looks like there were fatalities.' 

Two air ambulances landed on the green beside the caravan park's Sandbanks bar and restaurant while the coastguard helicopter is reported to have landed on the beach. 

Witnesses last night reported seeing at least one casualty being loaded into an air ambulance, while others said they had heard reports of 'multiple people in the water'. 

A caravan owner said: 'The first we knew something was wrong was when we heard a helicopter overhead. 

'I spoke to someone who saw the emergency services working on someone and pumping their chest on the beach. 

'People were shouting, 'Come on you can do it.' They couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman.'

A spokesperson for East of England Ambulance Service said: 'Following reports of multiple people in distress in the water at Sea View Holiday Park, West Mersea yesterday evening, we dispatched multiple resources including our Hazardous Area Response Team, critical care paramedics and two air ambulances to the scene.

'Sadly, despite best efforts, two patients could not be resuscitated. One patient was transported by air to hospital, and a further three patients were transported by road to hospital.'