Three family members die after struggling in water near Shoreham Port
Three relatives drowned while swimming off Shoreham-by-Sea, and a fourth child remains in critical condition in hospital.
At around 15:00 BST on Tuesday, authorities were alerted to four individuals struggling in the sea close to Shoreham Port. Responders from Sussex Police, the coastguard, RNLI, air-ambulance teams and local ambulance services arrived in force, with helicopters and numerous emergency vehicles lining the seafront. A man, a woman and a teenage girl from the same family were found dead, and a younger girl was hospitalized in critical condition after being rescued.
Police Superintendent James Collis said the family had gone swimming from the shore and were caught by unexpectedly rough water despite warm weather. The extensive rescue effort led to the closure of a section of the A259, and local residents described the scene as unprecedented. MP Tom Rutland and Shoreham Port officials urged the public to stay away while investigations continue.
Why it matters
The tragedy highlights sudden sea hazards and the scale of emergency response needed for local drowning incidents.
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