Inquest concludes Luton brother and sister died in 'tragic accident' in seaside resort

Haider Shamas, 18, and sister Malika, 14, died after getting into difficulty in the water at the resort on August 8.

Malika was pulled from the sea and died later in hospital on the day of the incident.

She had been in the water with her brother Haider, who died two days later, and a 15-year-old female cousin, who survived.

Their mother Shagufta Shamas told the inquest in Chelmsford that she wanted to make sure safety measures were in place to prevent similar incidents.

The inquest heard that both siblings could swim, despite initial media reports.

A senior police officer stated Malika panicked in the water, although she was at a point where she could still stand, and her brother and the other children tried to help.

Malika died of drowning, while her brother died two days later of pneumonia, brain damage and drowning, the inquest concluded. Their cousin fully recovered.

Earlier this month, Luton Sixth Form planted an apple tree at the college as a lasting memorial to Haider, as previously reported here.