Police Identify Ilford Mother and Her 15-Year-Old Daughter Who Tragically Died at Essex Beach

A mother and her 15-year-old daughter from Ilford, who tragically lost their lives after encountering difficulties in the sea off an Essex beach, have been identified by authorities. Essex Police announced that Shelina Rahman, aged 41, and her daughter Sameeha were part of a group of six family members who were in the water on Wednesday, July 22, when the incident occurred. At that time, the group also included two other adults and two children.

A police statement released on Tuesday confirmed, “We are now in a position to confirm two people who died following an incident at the beach on Mersea Island as 41-year-old Shelina Rahman and her 15-year-old daughter Sameeha. Six members of a family, including three adults and three children, had been in the water together on Wednesday, 22 July, when they encountered difficulties. All family members made significant efforts to assist one another during the distressing situation. Tragically, Shelina and Sameeha, who hailed from the Ilford area of London, died.” A seven-year-old boy was also airlifted to a nearby hospital, where he remains in a critical condition, as indicated in the statement.

Investigation Underway

In addition to the fatalities, several other family members were taken to the hospital for treatment and are currently recovering. Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher is leading the investigation into the incident. He confirmed that the family is being supported by specialist officers during this difficult time, stating, “They had been enjoying a family day at the beach together when this tragedy occurred. We are working to establish the circumstances that led up to this incident; our enquiries are ongoing. We have already spoken to a number of key witnesses and will continue to do so in the coming days, collaborating with partners including the fire service, local council, and coastguard.”

Community Response and Support

Chief Inspector Michelle Sparks, who serves as the District Commander for Colchester, expressed her gratitude to the local community for their prompt response to the incident. She remarked, “There were members of the public who rushed to help the family, and I want to thank them for their courage and selflessness. Since this tragic event, we have witnessed a tremendous outpouring of support and sympathy.” She further noted, “In times of tragedy, the strength of a community becomes evident, and we are fortunate to have a fantastic community on Mersea Island and throughout the Colchester district.”

The family of Shelina and Sameeha has requested privacy during this challenging time and has asked that they not be approached. Authorities are appealing to anyone who was in the vicinity during the incident and may possess information or footage that could assist the police investigation to reach out by calling 101 and quoting incident number 1090 of July 22.