Three Dead, One Critical After Water Incident Off Sussex Coast
Emergency services responded to Shoreham-by-Sea as hot weather raises concerns over open water safety and cold-water shock.
Sarah Connor
A man, a woman, and a teenage girl died after encountering difficulties in water off Sussex.
The Prime Minister described the event as "a real terrible family tragedy," extending "best wishes and love to wider friends and family."
He urged people to be wary of cold-water shock, stating, "The coldness, even when it feels hot outside, it can shock people and that can cause the difficulties."
Record-breaking hot weather across the UK has reportedly led to a surge in accidental drownings, with at least 35 water-related deaths reported since May.
The coldness, even when it feels hot outside, it can shock people and that can cause the difficulties.
The Prime Minister reminded the public about "the dangers of open water swimming," noting, "there is still, I think, a further heatwave to come in this summer period."
He also praised the emergency services, stating, "I do need to praise the emergency services who I know were on scene very quickly yesterday."
Andy Burnham echoed this sentiment, stating, "I do need to praise the emergency services, who I know were on scene very quickly yesterday."
Burnham claims the Government can "always" do more on water safety.
Joss Loader claims the tragic events happened in the estuary, a location where people swim even in winter.
Loader added that the area is generally considered "as safe as the sea can be," and that "You wouldn’t be swimming there and think you were taking a risk."
Anna Peacock claims that people coming to swim, particularly in the summertime, do not realize there is a riptide along the area.
Peacock warned that the tide could carry you out in seconds, and I don’t think people have realized that.
The 'phone, float, throw' method is recommended for rescuing someone in danger: call emergency services, tell the person to float, and throw them something buoyant.
Floral tributes have been left at the scene on the beach.