Touching tribute for ‘sweet girl’, 14, who died with her parents in sea tragedy

A teenager who died alongside her parents in Shoreham has been described by her school as a “sweet girl” in a touching tribute. Sara El-Khawas, 14, and her parents Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37, got into difficulty in the water on Tuesday afternoon in Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex.

In a statement on its website, the Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in Ealing, west London, described Sara as a “sweet girl, well-liked by staff and students”. A fourth member of the family remains hospitalised in a critical condition after being pulled from the sea, according to police. Police, paramedics, coastguard crews and a lifeboat were all dispatched to the scene where the four people were recovered from the water.

Head teacher Rachel Kruger said: “We are deeply saddened by this, and our thoughts are with her family, friends and all those affected.

“Our focus is now on supporting staff and students who have been affected by this.”

It is believed the family travelled from their home in London to visit Shoreham and entered the water from the beach near Shoreham Fort at around 2pm on Tuesday before they got into difficulty.

In a statement on its website, the Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in Ealing, west London, paid tribute to the teenager.

It read: “Sara was a sweet girl, well-liked by staff and students and she will be greatly missed.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends, and all those affected. This news will be deeply upsetting for many students, families and staff.”

On Wednesday, Sussex Police said its investigation remains open, but after a review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, it is currently thought the deaths were a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement.

Chief Superintendent James Collis said: “The events of Tuesday afternoon are a heartbreaking tragedy which has devastated a family and their friends and had a profound impact on the Shoreham community.”