Woman and lady die after ‘tide got here in on sandbank’ near Essex vacation park
A teenage girl and a woman in her 40s have died after several people got into difficulty in the water near Sea View Holiday Park in West Mersea, Essex, with eyewitnesses saying the tide came in
Police are working at the scene of the incident following the tragedy(Image: Humphrey Nemar/ DAILY MIRROR)
A witness reported that a teenage girl and a woman tragically lost their lives after the tide came in while a group of individuals were on a sandbank near a holiday park.
Essex Police confirmed they were alerted by the ambulance service at 5.35pm on Wednesday following reports that several people had encountered difficulties in the water near Seaview Avenue, West Mersea, Essex. The force verified on Thursday morning that a teenage girl and a woman in her 40s had sadly passed away.
A third individual remains in hospital in a serious condition and two others are in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the police. The force stated they believe those involved in the incident were acquainted with each other.
Essex Police confirmed they were alerted by the ambulance service at 5.35pm on Wednesday(Image: BBC)
The East of England Ambulance Service revealed one patient was airlifted to hospital and an additional three patients were transported by road to hospital following the incident in the water at Sea View Holiday Park.
On Thursday, police officers were observed patrolling the beach close to the incident, conversing with members of the public.
Beach hut owner Beverly Smit, 60, from West Mersea in Essex, said she heard the emergency response and went to investigate what was happening.
The force verified on Thursday morning that a teenage girl and a woman in her 40s had sadly passed away(Image: Humphrey Nemar/ DAILY MIRROR)
“By that time they were re-sussing the person on the beach, the helicopters were still in the fields,” stated Ms Smit, who is employed by a local dentist.
She mentioned that she spoke to a day tripper who had rented a neighbouring beach hut and had attempted to assist.
“He saw and they were calling for help and the children and adults were out there,” she said. “He swam out I think three times. Two of the children he brought back were not in good condition.
On Thursday, police officers were observed patrolling the beach close to the incident, conversing with members of the public(Image: BBC)
“It’s not an easy swim when the tide’s coming in, you’re swimming against the tide, the water yesterday was particularly quite cold.”
The beach hut owner went on to reveal that she and fellow rowing club members have previously assisted in sea rescues. Ms Smit described the incident as a “massive scale of rescue and tragedy really”.
A woman, who declined to provide her name, explained the West Mersea incident occurred during high tide. She told the Press Association: “The tide was a lot further in than it is now and that sandbank, they were on there and the tide came in. It comes in very quickly and you have to be careful.”
Floral tributes have been laid at the scene of the horror incident
Speaking from her beach hut, the woman recalled there was “quite a commotion” and “just total panic”. Reflecting on what followed, she described a “helicopter coming in, the helicopter circling and sirens going everywhere”.
The eyewitness added: “That was quite alarming, for a small place like this, I think that’s why so many people are shocked. I mean the beach was packed with people, they were coming down to see what was going on.”
The woman praised how emergency services “worked diligently” and branded the incident “absolutely tragic”. A member of staff at a local café, who declined to provide her name, revealed that some of their teenage employees had attempted to assist.
People at the diner ran onto the beach when they saw something unfolding(Image: Humphrey Nemar/ DAILY MIRROR)
Emergency services had advised people to stay away from a section of the Essex beach following what the coastguard rescue team called a “tragic incident”.
Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher stated: “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 inquiries.
“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.”
A spokesperson for East of England Ambulance Service commented: “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.”
Anyone who was present in the vicinity at the time and possesses information or footage that might aid the police investigation is urged to contact them on 101 and reference incident 1090.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
