A helicopter was sent to the scene (Image: PA)
Three people from the same family have died after entering the water in Shoreham, West Sussex. Chief Supt James Collis from Sussex Police said a man, a woman and a teenage girl were confirmed deceased after emergency services responded to reports they were in trouble just before 3pm on Tuesday (August 18).
He added a younger girl was taken to hospital in a critical condition. Mr Collis said all four were from the same family. Their next of kin have been informed.
Ch Supt James Collis says a man, a woman and a teenage girl died after getting into difficulty (Image: Sky News)
He said it is understood all four entered the water from land for a swim and “sadly got into difficulty”.
Mr Collis added: “Specialist officers are supporting them at this incredibly difficult time, and our thoughts are with their family and friends. I know this incident will have a profound effect on the community.”
Multiple ambulances and two air ambulances were seen in Shoreham near the RNLI station on Tuesday afternoon.
Witness Joe Chrisp, 24, told The Sun: “One of the local fishermen said it was two adults, two kids. One of the kids apparently got caught in a fishing net.” It has not been possible to independently verify the claim, which the police has not confirmed.
A section of the A259 in Shoreham was closed while the emergency services responded to the incident. The public was urged to stay clear of the area.
The incident also blocked the A259 Brighton Road in both directions from New Road to Kingston Lane. By about 8.30pm the response was starting to be wound down, Sky News reports.
A number of agencies were involved in the response, including Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service, HM Coastguard – including Littlehampton, Shoreham and Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Teams – and Shoreham RNLI.
Police are appealing to anyone with information or video footage that could help with their enquiries to contact them online or via 101, quoting Operation North.
Multiple ambulances and two air ambulances were seen in Shoreham (Image: Eddie Mitchell)
Eyewitnesses earlier reported seeing police officers with evidence bags, containing what looked to be children’s clothing.
One told ITV News: “I was up near the Coastguard tower when I saw two police officers come past me holding evidence bags after they looked to be going through belongings of, presumably, those who were involved in the incident.”
They said the evidence bags contained what appeared to be younger children’s clothing and other items, adding: “From that, I presume children were involved.”
Shoreham MP Tom Rutland said: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic news that three people have died following an incident in the water near Shoreham Fort this afternoon.”
He added: “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.”
The MP thanked the emergency services who he said had responded “swiftly” and “worked tirelessly in exceptionally difficult circumstances”.
This latest tragedy comes after the bodies of three sisters from London were pulled from the sea in May after a major search involving the RNLI and HM Coastguard.
Sussex Police confirmed the bodies of sisters Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walters, 32, and Rebecca Walters, 31, were recovered after being spotted in the water near Black Rock car park in Brighton.
Discover more from PressNewsAgency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.