Tests give no answers after mystery Essex beaches incident

Beachgoers in Essex were left coughing and breathless after an incident over the Bank Holiday weekend Credit: ITV Anglia

Seawater samples collected from the sites where people were treated by the ambulance service has thrown up no concerns.

On 25 August, paramedics were called to Walton, Frinton and Clacton seafronts. A large number of people who had been in the water suffered coughing, irritation of the eyes and some minor difficulty breathing.

Patients all made a full recovery after being treated with fresh water and rinsing off their clothing.

Water samples were taken at the sites and analysed by experts at theEnvironment Agency on behalf of Tendring District Council.

Testing by Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) also revealed no algal blooms in the water.

Tendring District Council said the cause of the incident would remain a mystery.