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Missing sea girl's mother on site Body found in sea search for girl
(about 2 hours later)
The mother of a 10-year-old girl who disappeared in the sea off an Essex beach has been at the scene to observe the search and rescue operation. Police searching for a 10-year-old girl who disappeared in the sea off an Essex beach believe they have found her body.
Stella Ankabi, from Buckinghamshire, had been playing with a friend in the sea in Clacton on Sunday afternoon when they got into trouble. Stella Akanbi, from Milton Keynes, had been playing with a friend in the sea in Clacton on Sunday afternoon when they got into trouble.
An onlooker pulled one of the girls ashore but could not find Stella.An onlooker pulled one of the girls ashore but could not find Stella.
The air and sea search has been increased to five miles from the beach and is expected to last until sunset. No formal identification has taken place, but police believe the girl found is Stella, and the search has been called off.
Stella was in Clacton on a day trip from Buckinghamshire with her friend and her friend's parents.Stella was in Clacton on a day trip from Buckinghamshire with her friend and her friend's parents.
Her mother travelled from Milton Keynes on Sunday night to meet police and witnessed police activity in the area.
Both girls were playing near a groyne, a sea defence barrier built at a right angle to the beach.Both girls were playing near a groyne, a sea defence barrier built at a right angle to the beach.
Holidaymakers describe their shock at what happened Spotted by helicopter
Essex Police said officers were continuing to assist the coastguard in the search. Stella's mother travelled to Clacton from Milton Keynes on Sunday night to meet police and watch the search progressing.
A spokesman said: "During the night, police officers and coastguard officials scoured the coastline, with the aid of the police helicopter, which provided lighting." An Essex Police spokesman said: "Police can now confirm that the Essex Police helicopter spotted the body of a child in the water off Clacton about 1545 BST this afternoon (17 August) and the RNLI lifeboat has recovered the body.
Two helicopters, a coastguard rescue team and an inshore lifeboat had been launched to search the area after the incident opposite Trafalgar Road, off Marine Parade West. "Formal identification is still to take place but police believe that it is that of a 10-year-old from the Milton Keynes area, who got into difficulties in the sea on Sunday afternoon.
An RAF rescue helicopter, from Wattisham, Suffolk, and a police helicopter were scrambled to scour the coastal waters. "Her family has been informed and are being supported by police liaison officers."
Rescue workers in dry suits also searched the shallow water. Police said an investigation would take place into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Stella has two siblings, a four-year-old sister and a nine-year-old brother who are being looked after by family friends.
The rescued girl and member of the public who pulled her from the water were taken to Clacton and District Hospital.
Police said the girl, who is with her mother, was now at Colchester General Hospital where she is recovering from shock.