A 15-year-old girl and her mother who drowned after getting into difficulty on the Essex coast have been named by police.

Shelina Rahman, 41, and her daughter Sameeha were in the water with four other family members at West Mersea beach on Wednesday 22 July when they got into difficulty.

The family and members of the public tried to help them, but Shelina and Sameeha, from Ilford in east London, were pronounced dead.

A seven-year-old boy was flown to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition after the incident near the Sea View Holiday Park.

Other family members were also taken to hospital for treatment and are recovering.

One witness, who did not give her name, said the group was standing on a sandbank when the tide suddenly came in and caused "total panic".

"The tide was a lot further in than it is now and that sandbank, they were on there and the tide came in," she said.

"It comes in very quickly and you have to be careful."

Detective Chief Inspector Al Pitcher, who is leading the investigation, said: "They had been enjoying a family day at the beach together when this tragedy happened.

"We are working to establish the circumstances which led up to this incident and our enquiries are ongoing.

"We have spoken to a number of key witnesses and will continue to do so over the coming days and will work with partners including the fire service, local council, and coastguard."

Anyone with information or footage has been asked to contact police on 101 and quote incident 1090 of 22 July.

Chief Inspector Michelle Sparks, District Commander for Colchester, added: "Since this tragic incident we have also seen an outpouring of support and sympathy.

"At times of tragedy you get to see how strong a community is, and we have a fantastic community on Mersea Island, and across the Colchester district."

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There have been a number of drownings in the UK over the summer, including during the May heatwave when at least 15 people, mostly children, drowned swimming in open water.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham previously said the government would provide support to local authorities following the deaths, adding that it was "so sad to hear the news".

He told ITV Anglia: "It does bring over... the dangers of open water swimming at this time of the year."