A 14-year-old girl who died alongside her parents in a drowning incident at Shoreham has been remembered as a “sweet girl” by her school.
Family tragedy at Shoreham
Sara El-Khawas, 14, and her parents Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37, got into difficulty in the water on Tuesday afternoon in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. A fourth family member remains hospitalised in a critical condition after being pulled from the sea, according to Sussex Police.
Police, paramedics, coastguard crews and a lifeboat were dispatched to the scene, where the four people were recovered from the water. The family are believed to have entered the water from the beach near Shoreham Fort at around 2pm on Tuesday before getting into difficulty.
School tribute
In a statement on its website, the Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in Ealing, west London, described Sara as a “sweet girl, well-liked by staff and students”. Head teacher Rachel Kruger said: “We are deeply saddened by this, and our thoughts are with her family, friends and all those affected. Our focus is now on supporting staff and students who have been affected by this.”
The school’s statement added: “Sara was a sweet girl, well-liked by staff and students and she will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends, and all those affected. This news will be deeply upsetting for many students, families and staff.”
Police investigation
On Wednesday, Sussex Police said its investigation remains open, but after a review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, it is currently thought the deaths were a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement. Chief Superintendent James Collis said: “The events of Tuesday afternoon are a heartbreaking tragedy which has devastated a family and their friends and had a profound impact on the Shoreham community.”
