Shoreham Tragedy: Family of Four in Fatal Sea Incident

Three members of a family have lost their lives after encountering difficulties in the waters off Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex Police confirmed. A fourth family member, a young girl, remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene near Shoreham Port at approximately 14:40 BST on Tuesday following reports of four individuals struggling in the sea. Authorities identified the victims as a man, a woman, and a teenage girl. The younger girl from the same family is receiving urgent medical care.

Chief Superintendent James Collis of Sussex Police stated that family members had been notified and are being supported by specialized officers. Preliminary investigations suggest the four entered the water from the shore for a swim and subsequently faced distress. Coastguard teams have concluded an extensive search and confirmed no additional individuals are missing.

The incident prompted a large-scale emergency response, with witnesses reporting an unprecedented presence of emergency vehicles, helicopters, and personnel. Coastguard crews, RNLI lifeboats, air ambulances, police, and paramedics were all deployed to the scene.

A spokesperson for Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex confirmed that both of its helicopters and critical care teams were involved in the operation. Shoreham RNLI also dispatched its lifeboat as part of the coordinated effort. The South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) responded to reports of four individuals requiring urgent medical attention.

In the aftermath of the incident, a portion of the A259, a key commuter route connecting Brighton, Shoreham, and Worthing, was temporarily closed to facilitate emergency operations.

BBC reporter Callum French, who was at the scene, noted that despite warm weather, sea conditions were notably rough due to strong winds. He described the emergency response as one of the largest he had ever witnessed.

Local residents expressed shock at the scale of the operation. Shirley Pumfrey, a resident, remarked, "I have never seen anything like it. The entire road was filled with emergency services. It was truly horrific and quite unsettling."

Steve Chapman, who lives across from the beach, shared that his street was cordoned off, preventing access. "There were all kinds of rumors circulating, and it was deeply distressing," he said.

Another resident, Pete Book, recounted seeing the convergence of ambulances, coastguard teams, and helicopters while walking home. Shelley Ayres, who also resides near the beach, observed that the sea had been unusually calm for months but had grown significantly rougher on the day of the incident.

Tom Rutland, the Member of Parliament for East Worthing and Shoreham, initially urged the public to avoid the area while emergency services managed the situation. Following the confirmation of the fatalities, he extended his condolences to the family and friends of the victims. "The entire community in Shoreham stands with them, hoping and praying for the recovery of the young girl receiving treatment," he stated.

Shoreham Port authorities confirmed their collaboration with multiple agencies and reiterated the request for the public to steer clear of the area during ongoing operations.

Members of the public with information related to the incident are encouraged to contact BBC Sussex through their social media channels on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, or via email at [email protected]. Tips can also be submitted via WhatsApp at 08081 002250.