The wife of a Bangladeshi politician and her teenage daughter drowned after entering the sea to rescue a young child who was swept away by strong currents at an Essex beach.
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Shelina Rahman, a teacher in her 40s and the wife of Dr Mansur Rahman, leader of Jubo Dal UK, the UK branch of the youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), died alongside her 15-year-old daughter, Sameeha, during the incident at West Mersea Beach near Colchester at about 5.30pm on Wednesday. The family had been visiting the area on a summer holiday when the tragedy unfolded, The Daily Mail reported.
The pair went into the water after a six-year-old child was carried away during an incoming high tide. Both encountered difficulties while attempting the rescue.
A large-scale emergency response was launched, involving police, ambulance crews, firefighters, the RNLI, coastguard teams and air ambulances. One casualty was airlifted to hospital, while three others were taken by road.
Mrs Rahman was also the daughter of Mujibur Rahman, a former vice-president of the UK-BNP, originally from Sylhet.
A beach hut owner told the newspaper: "We heard the helicopter last night and the search and rescue operation. We saw all the emergency services. We have a beach hut and live locally as well. I have heard the poor woman was trying to save the family and then died. It's horrific. It sounds like a worst nightmare. Apparently she did all she could and ended up dying."
Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher thanked members of the public who have assisted officers and said the force’s thoughts remain with the family.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham also paid tribute to emergency services during a visit to Essex, describing the events as “very, very sad”.
