Three people from the same family - a man, a woman and a teenage girl - have died after getting into trouble in the water off Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex. A fourth person, a younger girl from the same family, was pulled from the sea and remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Emergency response and witness accounts
Coastguard helicopters, ambulances and police were scrambled to the coastal town on Tuesday afternoon following reports that four people were in trouble in the water. The RNLI said lifeboat crews were launched from Shoreham at about 2.50pm, with two other lifeboats launched from Brighton shortly after 3pm.
Witness Joe Chrisp, 24, said: “One of the local fishermen said it was two adults, two kids. One of the kids apparently got caught in a fishing net.” He added: “It happened when I was on my way back from work. There were loads of police and I got turned around. It’s so tragic.”
Police statement and investigation
Chief Superintendent James Collis of Sussex Police said: “Around 2.40 pm 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.”
Police believe all four entered the water from the land to swim and got into difficulty. The coastguard has completed an extensive search and is not searching for anyone else. Specialist officers are supporting the family’s next of kin.
Community and MP reaction
Tom Rutland, the Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic news that three people have died following an incident in the water near Shoreham Fort this afternoon. I spoke earlier with Sussex Police and Shoreham RNLI and have been briefed on the response by the emergency services.” He added: “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.”
Residents described a massive emergency response. One resident told the Express: “I first heard the helicopters go past my home on the seafront. This was quickly followed by sirens, it is the most emergency services I have ever seen in my life. I saw Coastguard crews turn up, police, ambulance and critical incident units. Police were quick to cordon the road. There has been nothing like this happen on the beach before in the whole 25 years I have lived in the town. It's a safe beach with an RNLI station and a watch tower.”
Water safety campaign
The tragic deaths come as the Mirror has launched the Save Lives For Sam water safety campaign to tackle the UK's growing drowning crisis. The campaign calls for compulsory water safety lessons in schools, a nationwide public awareness campaign, better lifesaving equipment at high-risk waterways, the introduction of Sam's Law, and a dedicated Minister for Water Safety.
