BOY, 7, DIES IN HOSPITAL AFTER ESSEX BEACH TRAGEDY

Musa Ahmed died in hospital on Tuesday evening, seven days after he was pulled from the water off the Essex coast, his family confirmed on Wednesday. The seven-year-old had been fighting for his life since six members of the same family got into difficulty in the sea at West Mersea near Colchester on Tuesday, July 22. He was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital following the incident. His mother, Shelina Rahman, 41, and his 15-year-old sister, Sameeha, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Emergency services were called at approximately 5.35pm on July 22 after reports that several people had encountered difficulties in the water. Three other relatives were rescued from the sea and taken to hospital by ambulance. Essex Police previously stated that those three relatives were recovering from their injuries. The family, from Ilford in east London, had travelled to West Mersea for a day trip when the tragedy occurred.

In a statement, Musa's family said he passed away "in a state of ease and peace" at the Royal London Hospital. They paid tribute to staff in the hospital's intensive care unit, thanking doctors and nurses for the "outstanding care and dignity" they showed Musa during his final days. Essex Police said inquiries into the circumstances of the incident remain ongoing.