Three members of same family die after getting into difficulty off Sussex coast

A man, a woman and a teenage girl have died after getting into difficulty in the sea near Shoreham-by-Sea, while a younger girl from the same family remains in a critical condition in hospital

A couple and their teenage daughter have tragically lost their lives after encountering difficulties in the water off the Sussex coast.

Numerous ambulances and two air ambulances were spotted in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, close to the RNLI station on Tuesday afternoon. Sussex Police confirmed that emergency services responded to reports of four individuals in distress in the water near Shoreham Fort.

The force believe the family entered the water from land for a swim.

Addressing journalists this evening, Chief Superintendent James Collis revealed that a man, a woman and a teenage girl died, while a younger girl from the same family remains in a critical condition in hospital.

He 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.”

Anyone with information or video footage about the incident has been asked to contact Sussex Police online or via 101, quoting Operation North.

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