A teenage girl and a woman in her 40s have died after several people got into difficulty in the water off the coast of West Mersea, in Essex, according to Essex Police. The force confirmed the two deaths and said a third person remains in hospital in a serious condition, in what has been described as a tragic incident on the east coast of England.
The incident unfolded at a beach in West Mersea, which lies south of Colchester in the east of England. The alarm was first raised the previous night, when the Coast Guard posted on social media describing what had happened as a tragic incident at the beach and confirming that a major emergency response had been launched in the area.
According to the accounts of the response, Essex Police, the RNLI and the East of England air ambulance service all attended the scene. Some eyewitnesses reported that two air ambulances were involved in the operation. The beach and part of a nearby road were closed off amid reports that multiple people had got into difficulty in the water at the same time.
In its statement, Essex Police said it had been called by the ambulance service at 5.35pm on Wednesday, following reports that several people had got into difficulty in the water near Seaview Avenue. Despite the efforts of the emergency services at the scene, the force said it could sadly confirm that a teenage girl and a woman in her 40s had died as a result of the incident.
The police statement added that a third person involved in the incident remained in hospital in a serious condition. Officers closed their statement by saying that their thoughts were with the family and loved ones of all those affected at what they described as a very difficult time for everyone connected to the events at the beach.
Essex Police are now calling for more information as they try to understand exactly what happened. Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher asked anyone who was at the beach at the time and who had not yet spoken with officers to come forward. At this stage of their inquiries, investigators believe that those caught up in the incident knew each other, and they urged anyone with information or footage to get in touch.
While police have not given further detail on the circumstances, the stretch of coastline is known to carry particular dangers. Incoming tides at this beach can cut off escape routes, and cold water shock is a recognised threat in the area. Safety advice for the location stresses swimming with others, letting people know your plans, and being aware that conditions there can change very quickly.