BEACH TRAGEDY: A family holiday turned heartbreaking after a 7-year-old boy, his 15-year-old cousin, and her mother lost their lives during a seaside trip. New details have emerged about the moments that unfolded — as loved ones remember a family day that ended in unimaginable loss and a final act of bravery that will never be forgotten…
**Inquest hears details of West Mersea beach tragedy that claimed three lives from one family**
An inquest has opened into the deaths of a seven-year-old boy, his 15-year-old cousin and her mother who got into difficulty in the sea during a family outing in Essex.
Musa Ahmed, seven, died in hospital on 28 July 2026, six days after the incident at West Mersea on 22 July. His cousin Sameeha Rahman, 15, and her mother Shelina Rahman, 41, died at the scene. All three were from the east London area and had been on a family day trip to the coast near Colchester.
At the opening of the inquest at Chelmsford County Hall, the coroner was told that provisional post-mortem results gave drowning as the cause of death for all three. For Musa, hypoxic ischaemic brain injury was also recorded as a provisional cause.
Senior coroner for Essex, Lincoln Brookes, described the deaths as profoundly tragic, particularly given that three members of the same family lost their lives in the same incident. He offered his deepest condolences to the family and adjourned the inquest until 19 January 2027.
Emergency services were called to the area near Sea View Holiday Park at approximately 5.35pm on 22 July after reports that several people had got into difficulty in the water. Musa was brought to shore, stabilised and airlifted to the Royal London Hospital. Sameeha and Shelina were declared dead at the scene.
Police have previously stated that the group of five relatives entered the water and got into difficulty. It is understood that Sameeha and her mother entered the water in an attempt to help Musa. Three other family members were also taken to hospital and were later reported to be recovering.
In a statement released after Musa’s death, his family thanked the intensive care team at the Royal London Hospital for the care and dignity shown to him. They also expressed gratitude to the wider community for support and prayers, and asked for privacy during a difficult time.
Dr Mansoor Rahman, husband of Shelina and father of Sameeha, has previously spoken of his profound loss and asked people to pray for his wife and daughter.
Essex Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the incident and have appealed for anyone who was in the area at the time and has information or footage to contact them.
The tragedy has highlighted the risks of strong tides at coastal locations. Local authorities have indicated that additional safety measures, including warning signs, are being considered for the area.
The full inquest will examine the circumstances in more detail when it resumes next year.
