Three Dead, One Critical After Shoreham-by-Sea Swimming Tragedy
Family of four caught in difficulty near Shoreham Fort prompts major emergency response and ongoing investigation.
Sarah Connor
Three family members died and a younger girl remains in critical condition after entering the sea off West Sussex for a swim.
Emergency services converged on Tuesday afternoon, responding to reports of four people in distress near Shoreham Fort. Sussex Police, His Majesty’s Coastguard, the RNLI, ambulances, and air ambulances all mobilized.
Sussex Police officers supported His Majesty’s Coastguard and the RNLI as crews brought all four people ashore, James Collis confirmed. RNLI lifeboat crews launched at approximately 2:50 pm, with additional lifeboats from Brighton deploying shortly after 3 pm.
The coastguard has since completed its search of the water and is not looking for anyone else. Road closures were implemented on the A259 Brighton Road as emergency operations unfolded.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy has commenced. Sussex Police currently hypothesize it was a tragic accident with no third-party involvement.
Joss Loader expressed the community's profound shock, stating, "There’s just a really strong sense of shock, obviously people are really concerned for the young girl."
There’s just a really strong sense of shock, obviously people are really concerned for the young girl.
Tom Rutland conveyed his deep sadness over the tragic news. His thoughts were with the family and friends of those who lost their lives; the victims have not been named, but their next of kin have been informed and are receiving support.
Joss Loader claimed the tragic events occurred in the estuary, noting that people swim from those beaches even in the winter, generally considering it "as safe as the sea can be."
However, Anna Peacock claimed people who come down to swim, particularly in the summertime, may not realize a riptide exists along the area. She also claimed children today are not taught to swim and people should receive warnings about the dangers of swimming in the sea.
Anna Peacock indicated that People who come down to swim, particularly in the summertime, may not realize a riptide exists along the area. Children today are not taught to swim and people should receive warnings about the dangers of swimming in the sea.
Eyewitnesses reportedly claimed one of the children became tangled in a fishing net while swimming, sparking the tragedy. A fisherman is understood to have pulled one of the children out before raising the alarm, though sources claim no evidence currently suggests a fishing net was involved.
Alan Facer observed that the wind earlier was south-westerly, causing waves to pick up. He noted the tide would have been quite high around 3 pm.