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A couple have told the BBC how they attempted to save a mother and daughter who drowned off an Essex beach on Wednesday.

Craig and Carly Bowe were on a day trip from Hertfordshire with their children when they heard screams for help from a family in distress.

Despite the incoming tide, Craig went into the sea three times to try and pull them to shore, while Carly spoke to the emergency services.

"I just wanted them to survive," she told the BBC.

Despite the couple's efforts, and several attempts from other beachgoers and emergency teams, the mother, 41, and daughter, 15, died at the scene. Two boys were loaded onto a lifeboat with one, aged 7, airlifted to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

More on this story: Beach hero tells of attempt to save drowning girl and mum

'I just wanted them to survive': Couple tell of attempt to save drowning girl and mum. Video, 00:01:48'I just wanted them to survive': Couple tell of attempt to save drowning girl and mum

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