A teenage girl and a woman in her 40s have died after getting into difficulty at a beach in Essex.
Emergency services were called to West Mersea beach, near Colchester, at around 5.30pm yesterday following reports that several people needed rescuing in the water, according to police.
A third person has been hospitalised and remains in a serious condition, while two others have been left with non-life-threatening injuries.
It is understood they might have found themselves cut off from the beach after walking out to a sandbank.
West Mersea Coastguard Rescue Team said it had βresponded to a tragic incidentβ yesterday and that its thoughts were βwith the family involvedβ.
At least six ambulances, a dozen police cars, a fire engine, a lifeboat, two air ambulances and a coastguard helicopter were sent to the scene yesterday.
One coastguard truck remained on the shingle beach into the night near an area which was cordoned off with a wind break.
Other emergency vehicles were parked behind a row of multi-coloured pastel beach huts beside the West Mersea Holiday Park.
A teenage girl and a woman in her 40s have died after getting into difficulty at West Mersea beach in Essex
A third person has been hospitalised and remains in a serious condition, while two others have been left with non-life-threatening injuries
The area is known for its strong currents that can take swimmers and tourists by surprise.
Essex Police Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher said: βToday, our thoughts remain with the family members who are coming to terms with their loss.
βWe are grateful to the people who have already spoken to us and helped with our enquiries.
βWe 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.β
The force added that its thoughts are with the family and loved ones of those affected at this very difficult time.
One holidaymaker said: βWe heard that the incident involved an Asian family. ChildrenΒ got into difficulty and adults went in the water after them, only to get into difficulty as well.
βOther people on the beach went into the water to try and help, but it looks like there were fatalities.β
Two air ambulances landed on the green beside the caravan parkβs Sandbanks bar and restaurant while the coastguard helicopter is reported to have landed on the beach.
The area is known for its strong currents that can take swimmers and tourists by surpriseWitnesses last night reported seeing at least one casualty being loaded into an air ambulance, while others said they had heard reports of βmultiple people in the waterβ.
A caravan owner said: βThe first weΒ knew something was wrong was when we heard a helicopter overhead.
βI spoke to someone who saw the emergency services working on someone and pumping their chest on the beach.
βPeople were shouting, βCome on you can do it.β They couldnβt tell if it was a man or a woman.β
Essex Police said in a statement last night: βEmergency services are currently on scene of an ongoing incident in West Mersea.
βWhile we remain on scene, we would ask the public to avoid the Seaview Avenue and beach area.
βWe appreciate that this will cause some local issues, but wouldΒ ask for your patience and understanding as we may be there for some time yet. Thank you.β
