Three family members die after trouble in water near Shoreham-by-Sea

A couple and their teenage daughter have died after getting into difficulty off the Sussex coast, while a young girl from the same family was taken to hospital in critical condition. Multiple ambulances and two air ambulances were seen in Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex, near the RNLI station on Tuesday afternoon. Sussex Police confirmed emergency services responded to four people getting into difficulty in the water near Shoreham Fort. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday evening, Chief Superintendent James Collis said a man, a woman and a teenage girl died, while a younger girl from the same family was in a critical condition in hospital.Police said the family’s next of kin have been informed. All four people are understood to have entered the water for a swim before they “sadly got into difficulty”. Collis 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. Chief Superintendent James Collis of Sussex Police issues a statement (Photo: PA) “Sussex Police supported His Majesty’s Coastguard 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.” Collis thanked the public for their patience and asked anyone with information or video footage of the incident to contact the police. The A259 Brighton Road was blocked in both directions from New Road to Kingston Lane on Tuesday afternoon because of the incident, with the public urged to stay clear of the area during the afternoon. An ambulance was seen leaving the scene under a police escort with blue lights flashing. Emergency services on the beach at Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, near the RNLI station on Tuesday afternoon (Photo: PA) Tom Rutland, the Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said he was “deeply saddened” by the “tragic” incident near Shoreham Front. Thanking the emergency services in a post on X, Rutland said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives, and I know the whole community here in Shoreham will be hoping and praying for the recovery of the young girl receiving medical treatment in hospital.” He added: “A small section of the A259 around the area remains closed. I would urge members of the public to follow the advice and instructions of the emergency services.” An RNLI spokesman said: “Shoreham RNLI were tasked by HM Coastguard at approximately 3pm on Tuesday 18 August.” A HM Coastguard spokesman added: “HM Coastguard responded to an incident reported at Shoreham at about 2.45pm on 18 August. “An HM Coastguard helicopter was sent as well as Littlehampton, Shoreham and Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Teams, and an RNLI lifeboat from Shoreham. “Sussex Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service also attended.” Anyone with information or video footage about the incident has been asked to contact Sussex Police online or via 101 and quote Operation North. This is a breaking news story.