In August last year, a British brother and sister drowned in a match to see who swam the farthest from the coast. According to the latest reports, in an investigation this week, the accident was identified as a "tragic accident".
On 8 August last year, 14-year-old Marika Shamas was surprised when she was swimming at a race near Clarkton Pier in Essex on 19 February, when she was still able to get up but panicked, the BBC reported on Feb. 19.
Her 18-year-old brother and two cousins rushed to help her, but it was too late. Marika Shamas was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead, and two days later her brother died of pneumonia, brain damage and drowning.
The siblings are reportedly able to swim, but they've been competing with their cousins to see who is better.
The tearful mother reportedly told the coroner that she was also "in the water to help the child" at the time but had difficulties, "the sand under my feet began to loosen and I tried to get close." Isn't there a warning sign in this particular area that you shouldn't go in?"
Caroline Baisley-Murray, senior coroner in Essex, reportedly said warning signs close to the water should be printed in larger font and appear in a format suitable for children to read.