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Two people are dead after several people got into difficulties on West Mersea beach.
A teenager and a woman in her 40s both died yesterday evening in what police have described as a ‘tragic incident’.
Another three people are in hospital, one in a serious condition and two others with non-life threatening injuries.
Police are urging people to stay away from the beach near Colchester, Essex, while they continue with their inquiries.
A spokesperson for Essex Police said: ‘We were called by the ambulance service at 5.35pm on Wednesday 22 July after reports that several people had got into difficulty in the water near Seaview Avenue.
‘Despite the efforts of the emergency services, we can sadly confirm that a teenage girl and a woman in her 40s have died.
‘A third person remains in hospital in a serious condition. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of those affected at this very difficult time.’
West Mersea Coastguard Rescue Team previously said in a statement their ‘thoughts are with the family involved’.
The RNLI was the first of the emergency services to respond to the incident, followed by at least six ambulances and other emergency teams.
An RNLI spokesperson said: ‘Tonight we have responded to a tragic incident on West Mersea beach.
‘Our team and West Mersea Lifeboat Station – RNLI were first on scene.
‘We will not be making any further comment on the details at this time and leave this task to Essex Police as an ongoing incident. Our thoughts are with the family involved.’
The currents are known to be strong in the area, which can take visitors by surprise.
In a previous statement on Facebook, the local police said: ‘While we remain on scene, we would ask the public to avoid the Seaview Avenue and beach area.
‘We appreciate that this will cause some local issues, but would ask for your patience and understanding as we may be there for some time yet.’
The area was cordoned off with a wind breaker, with emergency vehicles parked alongside the multicoloured pastel beach huts.
Two air ambulances were called and landed nearby, along with a dozen police cars, a fire engine, a lifeboat, six ambulances, and a Coastguard helicopter.
According to The Sun, the lifeboat was seen launching and searching in the water yesterday.Police were also seen walking the shoreline with torches.
An eyewitness told the outlet they saw ‘about 18 emergency vehicles’, claiming they ‘must have been searching for someone’.
‘A lot of people had their head in their hands so it was clearly a sensitive issue,’ they added. ‘All the paramedics I could see were down at the beach.’
The RNLI confirmed it’s lifeboats from West Mersea and Clacton had been launched but no further details have been given so far.
