Three teenage workers from the Seaview Beach Diner rushed onto West Mersea beach on Wednesday evening after hearing shouts of 'help me, help me' from the water. The youngsters, aged 16 to 19, joined a man who had already pulled five people from the sea, with one teen calling emergency services while others pounded a victim's back until they coughed up seaweed.
Despite their efforts, a teenage girl and a woman in her 40s died. Essex Police confirmed the deaths after being called by the ambulance service at 5.35pm on 22 July following reports of several people in difficulty near Seaview Avenue. A third person remains in hospital in a serious condition, while two others have non-life-threatening injuries. Police believe all five involved were known to each other.
“Teenage girl and woman die at West Mersea beach; three teenage cafe workers rushed to help rescue family.”
Melanie Shuker, 64, owner of the diner, said her great niece Leonie was among the rescuers. “All of the girls went to the water’s edge,” she told the Mirror. “Between them they took one of them over, banged them on the back till they brought up seaweed.” The coast guard had described a “tragic incident” on West Mersea beach, an area known for its strong currents that can take visitors by surprise.
An eyewitness who saw the commotion from a beach hut said the tide “comes in very quickly” and described “total panic” as a helicopter circled and sirens sounded. The RNLI was first on scene, followed by two air ambulances, six ambulances and a dozen police cars. An ambulance spokesperson said: “Sadly, despite best efforts, two patients could not be resuscitated.” DCI Al Pitcher added: “Our thoughts remain with the family members who are coming to terms with their loss.”
The deaths come amid a summer of rising water fatalities — the National Water Safety Forum has recorded at least 29 accidental drownings in open water across the UK since mid-May 2026.