Three members of same family die after incident in sea off Sussex coast

Tragedy off Sussex coast claims three lives as family holiday turns to devastation

Three members of the same family have died after getting into difficulty in the sea off Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, in what police have described as a devastating incident on Tuesday afternoon. A younger girl from the same family remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Sussex Police confirmed that a man, a woman and a teenage girl were pronounced dead at the scene despite the best efforts of paramedics, following reports of four people in difficulty in the open water close to Shoreham Fort. The fourth member of the family, a younger girl, was taken to hospital, where she is understood to be fighting for her life.

The incident unfolded shortly before 3pm on Tuesday, prompting a major multi-agency response involving HM Coastguard, the RNLI, Sussex Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service. Witnesses described a scene of frantic activity as emergency services converged on the popular coastal spot, with several ambulances and two air ambulances seen near the RNLI station in Shoreham-by-Sea.

Emergency services race against time

Chief Superintendent James Collis of Sussex Police addressed reporters at the scene, confirming the grim outcome of what began as a routine summer afternoon by the sea.

"Around 2:40 pm this afternoon, emergency services were called to reports of four people in difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort," he said. "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."

The A259 Brighton Road was blocked in both directions from New Road to Kingston Lane for several hours as emergency services worked at the scene. Onlookers reported seeing an ambulance leaving under police escort with blue lights flashing, while the air ambulance crews worked alongside ground teams in a desperate bid to save the family.

Coastguard and RNLI launch coordinated rescue

An RNLI spokesman confirmed that Shoreham RNLI were tasked by HM Coastguard at approximately 3pm on Tuesday 18 August. The lifeboat crew, volunteers who train extensively for such emergencies, launched immediately alongside coastguard rescue teams from Littlehampton, Shoreham and Newhaven.

An HM Coastguard spokesperson 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."

The South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed they were called shortly after 3pm to reports that four people needed medical attention after getting into difficulty in the water near Shoreham Harbour. A spokesperson said: "We have a number of ambulance resources at the scene. We have no further information to share at this time but will provide updates as soon as possible."

Shoreham's treacherous waters under scrutiny

The incident has cast a spotlight on the often-deceptive nature of the waters off Shoreham-by-Sea, a stretch of Sussex coastline known for its strong currents and shifting sandbanks. The area around Shoreham Fort, a historic 19th-century defensive structure at the mouth of the River Adur, is popular with swimmers and families, particularly during the summer months.

Local maritime experts have long warned that the confluence of the river and the sea creates unpredictable conditions, with rip currents capable of dragging even strong swimmers out to sea within moments. The RNLI has repeatedly emphasised the importance of swimming at lifeguarded beaches and heeding safety advice, particularly during periods of warm weather when more people take to the water.

Tuesday's tragedy comes during what has already been a challenging summer for coastal safety teams across the UK. The RNLI, which relies on charitable donations and the dedication of volunteer crews, has seen an increase in callouts as record numbers of people have visited Britain's beaches. Shoreham's lifeboat station, one of the busiest on the south coast, has been involved in numerous rescues in recent months.

Community in shock as tributes begin to emerge

The close-knit Shoreham community has been left reeling by the news, with many in the town expressing their shock and sorrow. The town, which sits between Brighton and Worthing, is no stranger to maritime incidents, but the loss of an entire family unit in a single afternoon has struck a particular chord.

Local councillors and community leaders have offered their condolences to the family, while the emergency services have been praised for their swift and professional response. The RNLI's volunteer crews, who gave up their Tuesday afternoon to answer the call, are understood to be receiving support following the traumatic incident.

The identities of the deceased have not yet been formally released, pending notification of wider family members. The circumstances surrounding the incident will now be examined in full, though early indications suggest this was a tragic accident rather than anything suspicious.

Coastal safety concerns reignited

The tragedy has reignited concerns about coastal safety in the UK, particularly at unguarded stretches of beach. Tuesday's response relied on volunteer RNLI crews and coastguard teams, who are often the first to reach swimmers in difficulty along the Sussex coast.

HM Coastguard has repeatedly urged members of the public to familiarise themselves with water safety advice, including checking tide times, understanding rip currents, and calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard in an emergency. The service has also warned against swimming alone or after consuming alcohol, and has stressed the importance of supervising children at all times near water.

The RNLI's Respect the Water campaign, which runs annually throughout the summer, aims to reduce the number of drownings in UK and Irish waters. According to the charity, around 150 people accidentally drown in the UK each year, with many of these deaths occurring at coastal locations. The charity has long campaigned for greater awareness of the dangers posed by cold water shock, which can affect even strong swimmers within seconds of entering the sea.

Investigation underway as family's ordeal continues

As the investigation into Tuesday's incident continues, the focus now turns to the younger girl who remains in a critical condition in hospital. Medical teams are understood to be doing everything possible to save her, though her condition is described as serious.

The tragedy has also raised questions about how such incidents can be prevented in the future. Local authorities and coastal safety organisations are expected to review the circumstances of the incident, with a view to identifying any lessons that can be learned.

For now, the Shoreham community is left to mourn the loss of three lives and to hope for the recovery of the fourth. The sea, which brings so much joy to so many, has once again demonstrated its unforgiving power.

The RNLI and HM Coastguard have both confirmed that their thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved, and that support is being offered to the volunteers and staff who responded to the incident. The A259 has since been reopened, but the memory of Tuesday's tragedy will linger long in this Sussex coastal town.

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Sources: The Independent, Sussex Police, HM Coastguard, RNLI, South East Coast Ambulance Service.

By Erica Thornton, Staff Writer