Beach hero tells of attempt to save drowning girl and mum
Beach Hero Tells of Attempt to Save Drowning Mother and Daughter
Constantvpn.com – A day-tripper has told the BBC how he dived into the sea in an attempt to save a mother and daughter who drowned off an Essex beach. Craig Bowe, 42, battled the incoming tide at West Mersea, near Colchester, three times after hearing screams on Wednesday evening. The kitchen fitter, who was on a day trip from Hertfordshire to celebrate his daughter’s 10th birthday, managed to haul Shally and Samiha Rahman from the waves and also helped a seven-year-old boy onto a lifeboat. This beach hero tells of attempt to rescue the pair from the dangerous waters.
Desperate Rescue Efforts
Despite his efforts, the pair – aged 41 and 15 – died in the desperate attempt to bring the boy to shore. The boy, who became stranded during a family day out from Barking, east London, was airlifted to hospital and remained there in a critical condition on Friday. Three others were taken by ambulance to another hospital after the incident unfolded at about 17:35 BST. The beach hero tells of attempt to save both the mother and her teenage daughter during the chaotic scene.
Bowe, from Northaw, sprang into action after hearing a man screaming in the water and seeing bodies floating. “When I got there, the first two people I saw were actually face down, so [it was] more serious than I initially thought,” he told the BBC. Bowe pulled Shally Rahman to shore where bystanders began administering CPR. His wife Carly was among the group of people trying to resuscitate the mother and daughter on the sand.
He then dashed back out to sea to rescue her daughter. Having done so, he then returned to the water to help load the seven-year-old boy and another child, who were about 150 yards (137m) out at sea, onto a lifeboat. “I helped sort of shoo him onto the boat, because he was face down too… but the seven-year-old was not in a good way,” said Bowe, who was helped by an unnamed man. “The waves were hitting me in the face. The current was definitely stronger.”
The BBC understands the boy may have been stranded on a sandbank when he was cut off from the shore. HM Coastguard was at the scene on Wednesday evening, and flowers have been left on the beach, including from the coastguard crew. Bowe downplayed people calling him a hero and insisted it was a team effort. His wife added: “Everybody on that beach that day played their part in giving that family the best chance they could to survive.”
Community Response and Investigation
Craig and Carly Bowe hailed the team effort of everyone who tried to help on the beach. “Everyone really stepped up and it was incredible to see,” she said. The 43-year-old and her family arrived at the beach at about 11:00, and recalled seeing the victims having a “great time” together. However, that came to an abrupt end with the sound of “hysterical” screaming about six hours later.
Essex Police has urged any witnesses to come forward as its detectives piece together what happened. The force is investigating the tragic incident that claimed two lives and left a young boy fighting for his life. Local residents have been deeply affected by the events at West Mersea beach.
“Everybody on that beach that day played their part in giving that family the best chance they could to survive.” – Carly Bowe
FAQ: Beach Hero Tells of Attempt to Save Drowning Victims
Where did the beach tragedy occur? The incident took place at West Mersea beach, near Colchester in Essex, on Wednesday evening.
Who were the victims? Shally Rahman, aged 41, and her daughter Samiha Rahman, aged 15, both drowned. A seven-year-old boy was also involved and was airlifted to hospital in critical condition.
What did the beach hero do? Craig Bowe, 42, made three trips into the sea to rescue the victims. He pulled the mother and daughter from the waves and helped load two children onto a lifeboat.
When did the incident happen? The tragedy unfolded at approximately 17:35 BST on Wednesday evening.
How can witnesses come forward? Essex Police has asked anyone with information to contact them as detectives continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
For more East of England news, follow BBC Essex on BBC Essex or visit their BBC News UK page for updates.
