Prime Minister Andy Burnham has warned of the dangers of open water swimming after a man, a woman and their teenage daughter died in an incident off the coast of Sussex. A younger girl remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Sussex Police confirmed on Tuesday night that a man, a woman and a teenage girl had died, while a younger girl was in a critical condition in hospital. The incident occurred in the water near Shoreham Fort, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, on Tuesday afternoon.
Emergency response and warnings
There was a large emergency service response, including air ambulances, an RNLI lifeboat and coastguard crews. Police believe the family entered the water to go for a swim.
Asked during a visit to the North East on Wednesday if the Government needed to do more on water safety, Mr Burnham said: "Always." He urged people to be wary of cold-water shock ahead of "a further heatwave to come in this summer period".
Mr Burnham said: "The thing I can say today – and there is still, I think, a further heatwave to come in this summer period – it is just to remind people about the dangers of open water swimming.
"The coldness, even when it feels hot outside, it can shock people and that can cause the difficulties. So people just need to remember that at all times."
Community shock and tributes
He praised the emergency services, saying: "I do need to praise the emergency services who I know were on scene very quickly yesterday. They've had a busy summer but they were there and we thank them." He described the incident as "a real terrible family tragedy" and sent "best wishes and love to wider friends and family".
Joss Loader, who lives nearby and represents Shoreham Beach Residents' Association on Adur District Council, told the Press Association: "There's just a really strong sense of shock, obviously people are really concerned for the young girl." She said the "tragic events" happened in the estuary. "It's school holidays and we have had a wonderful summer so the beaches have been packed with families," she said. "The weather was quite calm, not as hot as recent days but it was a perfectly normal day."
Anna Peacock, 81, who lives near Kingston Beach, said emergency services were on the scene very quickly. She told PA: "It was terribly sad to know that just across the road people have lost their lives."
Local and political reaction
East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tom Rutland said everybody in the area is "shocked and saddened" by the incident. Speaking near the scene on Wednesday, he said: "It's too early to know exactly what caused yesterday's trouble that led to the tragic deaths but I think there's always more that can be done to educate people about water safety."
Robina Baine, an Adur councillor, said: "These events are absolutely tragic and our thoughts are with the family and friends that have lost their loved ones." She added: "I have been here for 46 years and this is the most tragic incident there has been."
Police said the coastguard had searched the water "extensively" and was not looking for anyone else on Tuesday night. Officers have not yet confirmed the identity of the victims but said their next of kin were being supported by specialist officers.
