Search and rescue operation underway after 'group became trapped in rising tide' at Essex beach

Published: 02:06, 23 July 2026 | Updated: 02:17, 23 July 2026 A search and rescue mission is underway for a group of people at an Essex beach.  A number of people are feared to have drowned in what police have described as an 'ongoing incident' at a beach in West Mersea, Essex.  An Asian family, including children, were believed to have become trapped by the rising tide after possibly walking out to a sandbank off the holiday beach some time around 5.30pm on Wednesday.  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 as the incident unfolded. 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.  The area is known for its strong currents, which can take swimmers and tourists by surprise. One holidaymaker said: 'We heard that the incident involved an Asian family. Children got into difficulty and adults went in the water after them, only to get into difficulty as well.  A search and rescue mission was underway on Wednesday night in West Mersea, Essex  A number of people are feared to have drowned after a family are believed to have entered the water 'Other people on the beach went into the water to try and help, but it looks like there were fatalities.'  Two air ambulances landed on the green beside the caravan park's Sandbanks bar and restaurant while the coastguard helicopter is reported to have landed on the beach.  Witnesses reported seeing at least one casualty being loaded into an air ambulance, while others said they had heard reports of 'multiple people in the water'.  A caravan owner said: 'The first we knew something was wrong was when we heard a helicopter overhead.  'I spoke to someone who saw the emergency services working on someone and pumping their chest on the beach.  'People were shouting, 'Come on you can do it'. They couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman.' Essex Police said in a statement on Wednesday night: 'Emergency services are currently on scene of an ongoing incident in West Mersea. 'While we remain on scene, we would ask the public to avoid the Seaview Avenue and beach area. 'We appreciate that this will cause some local issues, but would ask for your patience and understanding as we may be there for some time yet. Thank you.' An identical statement was issued on social media by Essex Fire and Rescue Service. A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said they could not comment.  An RNLI spokesperson confirmed its West Mersea lifeboat was launched earlier this evening and its lifeboat from Clacton was also sent to the emergency. They added that they did not know the nature of the incident at this stage. A spokeswoman for the East Anglian Air Ambulance said it had also sent a helicopter to West Mersea, but that they had no further information at this stage.