Full Breakdown
Mother and Daughter Rescued from Sinking Sand at Three Shells Lagoon
3/15/2026, 8:18:44 AM
Incident Overview
On Tuesday afternoon, a mother and her six-year-old daughter became trapped in waist-deep sinking sand near the Three Shells Lagoon in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. The incident occurred around 5:20 PM as the young girl was playing in the sand, which had recently been placed there by the Southend-on-Sea City Council. When the girl began to sink, her mother rushed to her aid, only to become stuck herself. Both began shouting for help as the tide approached.
Rescue Efforts
Adrian Pikula, a lorry driver who witnessed the incident while walking with his daughter, alerted staff at the nearby Adventure Island theme park. Four men from the park—Lee Jones, Will Canning, Tim Sykes, and Mitchel Francis—responded quickly, using ropes to pull the mother and daughter to safety. Adventure Island later confirmed that their team acted promptly, with one manager immediately notifying the workshop team to assist in the rescue.
Official Responses and Safety Measures
Following the incident, Southend-on-Sea City Council took immediate action by closing the lagoon and reinforcing safety measures. Fencing and warning signs indicating "deep, wet sand" have been installed around the area. A council spokesperson stated, "Public safety comes first; therefore, the lagoon will remain closed until we are confident it’s safe to reopen it." The council is currently evaluating options for the lagoon, which may require planning applications and coastal licensing approvals.
Background on Three Shells Lagoon
The Three Shells Lagoon, an artificial pool opened in 2016, has faced criticism for its deteriorating condition, with some describing it as a "stinking pool of green slime." The lagoon's recent maintenance issues have raised concerns about safety, prompting the council's swift response to the rescue incident.
Criticism and Opposition
While the rescue was successful and no injuries were reported, the incident has sparked discussions about the lagoon's safety and maintenance. Critics have pointed out that the lagoon's poor condition could pose risks to visitors, especially children. The council's commitment to improving safety measures has been welcomed, but some community members are calling for more immediate action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Verbatim Quotes
“[The woman] was very deep, probably about half of her body was in the mud,” — Adrian Pikula, Lorry Driver
“Thankfully this happened while our team were still on site at the end of the day, allowing staff to spot the situation and step in when it mattered most.” — Adventure Island Spokesperson
“Public safety comes first therefore the lagoon will remain closed until we are confident it’s safe to reopen it.” — Southend-on-Sea City Council Spokesperson
What's Next
The Southend-on-Sea City Council plans to conduct further inspections of the lagoon and will keep the area closed until safety improvements are completed. Updates will be provided to residents as the situation develops.
