- Published
The father of a boy in a critical condition following a beach tragedy which left two other family members dead has called for a review of safety measures at the site.
Sameeha Rahman, 15, her mother Shally Rahman, 41, and seven-year-old Musa Ahmed all found themselves in trouble while in the water at West Mersea, Essex, on Wednesday.
Both Sameeha and Shally drowned as they tried to save Musa, who was airlifted to hospital.
Musa's father, Shahin Ahmed, said his son remained in a critical condition, and said "strongly agreed" with calls for safety review at the beach.
In a statement released on Monday, he said the family had been "devastated by the loss of our beloved relatives".
"We wish to thank the members of the local community who responded to our calls for help for their extraordinary efforts.
"Several local residents and visitors to the beach that day showed exceptional courage, kindness and selflessness as they rushed to assist my family members who were struggling in the water", he added.
"Their actions embodied the very best of humanity, and our family will always be grateful for the bravery they showed in our hour of need.
"Additionally, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the emergency services, air ambulance crews and coastguard personnel who responded to the incident, as well as the medical staff who continue to assist my son."
Ahmed added: "I strongly agree with the calls from local residents for a review of safety measures at West Mersea beach, including the provision of additional life-saving equipment and clear warning signage.
"While no action now can undo the pain we are suffering, we hope lessons can be learned to help prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future."
Colchester City Council has previously said: "We recognise and appreciate the community's commitment to water safety and will continue to work with partners to review risks and consider any lessons arising from this tragic incident."
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