Two relatives also taken out of the water, one of whom is stable but critical in hospital

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A 14-year-old girl has died in hospital after she and two teenage relatives were pulled from the sea close to Clacton pier in Essex.

The 14-year-old was taken from the water along with an 18-year-old man and another girl, aged 15. All three were taken to hospital where the 14-year-old died. The man remains in a stable but critical condition and the other girl is expected to make a full recovery, Essex police said.

Police officers, three air ambulance critical care teams, three ambulance crews, rapid response paramedics, HM Coastguard and an RNLI lifeboat all attended the scene after emergency services were called at 1.40pm.

In total, five people were treated at the scene, including the three teenagers and two others who did not need hospital treatment.

Witnesses described lifeguards attempting CPR before paramedics arrived, while some called for more signs warning of the dangers of swimming.

The incident comes one year after a 15-year-old boy drowned near the pier.

Acting DS Paul Wells said: “At this early stage, we believe that three teenagers got into difficulty at sea and were recovered from the water close to Clacton Pier.

“The three casualties are related. Immediate family members have been informed and are at hospital.

“We are continuing to support the family at this unimaginably difficult time and are working closely with our partners.”

Witness Becky Bryant, 40, told PA: “I saw two people being pulled from the sea and lifeguards trying to do CPR until the paramedics turned up.

“Everyone tried to take turns doing the CPR while the lifeboat went out again and retrieved the third person, who seemed not to be in such a bad way.

“It was so distressing, everyone was trying to do what they could - lifeguards, air ambulance, they truly worked as a team.”

The carer, from Wivenhoe, said the victims were with a group of about 30 people.

Karen Jones, also 40, a counsellor from Tendring, described the incident as “tragic”, adding: “As a parent, I would like to see more signage warning of dangers.”

Stuart Elms, the clinical director at Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, said: “Earlier today both of Essex and Herts Air Ambulance’s helicopters were tasked, along with one from East Anglian Air Ambulance, to attend a serious incident in Clacton. Our thoughts are with all those involved in this incident.”

In July 2018, Ben Quartermaine, 15, from Clacton-on-Sea, died after he got into difficulty in water near the pier. His body was found after a two-day search by emergency services.