Emergency services rush to popular beach after reports of multiple people in difficulty in water as cops say ‘stay away’

EMERGENCY services have rushed to a popular beach after reports of multiple people in difficulty in the water. Cops and HM Coastguard scrambled to the scene at West Mersea, near Colchester, at around 5.30pm today, with police warning the public to “stay away”. The coastguard was summoned after multiple people were reported to be ‘in difficulty in the water’ Credit: East Anglia News Service A number of emergency services are on the scene Credit: East Anglia News Service East of England Ambulance Service are also in attendance, along with Essex Fire and Rescue Service and Essex Police. In a Facebook post, the force said: “While we remain on scene, we would ask the public to avoid the Seaview Avenue and beach area. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! “We appreciate that this will cause some local issues, but would ask for your patience and understanding as we may be there for some time yet.” A multi-agency response is ongoing with West Mersea and Clacton coastguard rescue teams and lifeboats being deployed, said a spokesperson for the Coastguard. An RNLI lifeboat at the scene Credit: East Anglia News Service Cops on the beach in Essex Credit: JOHN McLELLAN HM Coastguard helicopters are providing aerial support. A lifeboat could be seen launching at one point and searching the water. Police officers are also searching the shoreline with torches as the light fades. An eyewitness who lives nearby told The Sun: “I noticed an ambulance come back the house so I went to take a look. Most read in The Sun Cops have warned the public to ‘stay away’ from the area Credit: East Anglia News Service There is a large police presence at the beach Credit: East Anglia News Service “I could see about 18 emergency vehicles. “I also saw two air ambulances and one coast guard helicopter which had its door open so they must have been searching for someone. “On arrival the police had everyone move back and set up a cordon. “A lot of people had their head in their hands so it was clearly a sensitive issue. “All the paramedics I could see were down at the beach.” The incident is ongoing and there is no further information at this time with the investigation continues. An RNLI spokeswoman confirmed its West Mersea lifeboat was launched earlier this evening and its lifeboat from Clacton was also sent to the emergency.