Three members of the same family have died after getting into difficulty in the water near Shoreham Fort, prompting a major emergency response
Three members of the same family have tragically died and a young girl is fighting for her life in hospital after getting into difficulty while swimming at Shoreham, Sussex.
Emergency services were called at around 3pm today (August 18) following reports that four family members who had gone swimming near Shoreham Fort were in trouble in the water.
Although all four were brought back to land following a massive multi-agency rescue, police have confirmed that a man, a woman and a teenage girl have died. A younger girl remains in critical condition in hospital.
Chief Superintendent James Collis, of Sussex Police, confirmed during a press conference this evening that all four belonged to the same family. He added that their next of kin have been informed.
Addressing the tragedy, Ch Supt Collis said it is understood the group had entered the water for a swim before they “sadly got into difficulty.”
Ch Supt Collis said: “Our thoughts are with the friends and family. I know this incident will have a profound effect on the community.”
He added that the Coastguard is not searching for anyone else, while thanking members of the public for their patience
He also appealed for anyone with information or video footage to contact police online.
The tragedy triggered a huge search-and-rescue response near Shoreham Port, with eyewitnesses describing seeing two air ambulances land near the seafront as blue lights flooded the area.
A massive fleet of police cars, coastguard rescue units, ambulance vehicles, and fire engines swarmed the scene while lifeboats searched the water. The A259 was also shut down while emergency crews worked.
Tom Rutland, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, posted on X: “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.”
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