Police have confirmed that a couple and their teenage daughter died after getting into difficulty off the Sussex coast. The incident occurred in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, near the RNLI station on Tuesday afternoon, where multiple ambulances and two air ambulances were seen.
Emergency response and confirmed deaths
Sussex Police said emergency services were responding to four people getting into difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort. The force believe the family entered the water from land for a swim.
Speaking to reporters, Chief Superintendent James Collis said a man, a woman and a teenage girl died, while a younger girl from the same family is in a critical condition in hospital. He said: “Around 2.40pm this afternoon, emergency services were called to reports of four people in difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort.
“Sussex Police supported His Majesty’s Coast Guard and the RNLI as all four people were brought to shore. Tragically, despite the best efforts of paramedics, three people – a man, a woman, and a teenage girl – were sadly confirmed deceased.
“A younger girl has been taken to hospital and is in critical condition. We can confirm all four people were from the same family, and their next of kin have been informed.”
Ongoing support and road closures
Specialist officers are supporting the family’s next of kin. Following the incident, the A259 Brighton Road was blocked in both directions from New Road to Kingston Lane. A HM Coastguard helicopter was sent along with rescue teams from Littlehampton, Shoreham and Newhaven and an RNLI lifeboat from Shoreham.
Anyone with information or video footage about the incident has been asked to contact Sussex Police online or via 101, quoting Operation North.
Community reaction
East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tom Rutland said in a statement on Facebook: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic news that three people have died following an incident in the water near Shoreham Fort this afternoon,” he wrote.
“I spoke earlier with Sussex Police and Shoreham RNLI and have been briefed on the response by the emergency services. My thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives, and I know the whole community here in Shoreham will be hoping and praying for the recovery of the young girl receiving medical treatment in hospital.”
