Three members of same family die in Shoreham water tragedy as child fights for life

Three members of the same family have died after getting into difficulty in the water near Shoreham Fort, prompting a major emergency response

Liam Randall News Reporter

21:35, 18 Aug 2026Updated 23:03, 18 Aug 2026

[Three members of the same family have died after getting into difficulty in the water near Shoreham Fort]

Three members of the same family have died after getting into difficulty in the water near Shoreham Fort

Three members of the same family have tragically died and a young girl is fighting for her life in hospital after getting into difficulty while swimming at Shoreham, Sussex. Emergency services were called at around 2.40pm today (August 18) following reports that four family members who had gone swimming near Shoreham Fort were in trouble in the water.

Although all four were brought back to land following a massive multi-agency rescue, police have confirmed that a man, a woman and a teenage girl - believed to be a couple and their daughter - have died. A younger girl remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Chief Superintendent James Collis, of Sussex Police, said: "Around 2.40pm this afternoon, emergency services were called to reports of four people in difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort.

[Police have confirmed that a man, a woman and a teenage girl have died]

Police have confirmed that a man, a woman and a teenage girl have died

"Sussex Police supported His Majesty's Coast Guard 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."

Ch Supt Collis said it is understood the group had entered the water for a swim before they "sadly got into difficulty."

[Police said it is understood the group had entered the water for a swim]

Police said it is understood the group had entered the water for a swim

He added: "Our thoughts are with the friends and family. I know this incident will have a profound effect on the community."

He said the Coastguard is not searching for anyone else, while thanking members of the public for their patience. He also appealed for anyone with information or video footage to contact police online. Specialist officers are supporting the familys next of kin.

The tragedy triggered a huge search-and-rescue response near Shoreham Port, with eyewitnesses describing seeing two air ambulances land near the seafront as blue lights flooded the area.

[James Collis ]

Chief Superintendent James Collis confirmed the tragic news in a press conference (Image: Sky News)

A massive fleet of police cars, coastguard rescue units, ambulance vehicles and fire engines attended the scene while lifeboats searched the water. The A259 was also shut down while emergency crews worked.

Tom Rutland, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, posted on X: "I am deeply saddened by the tragic news that three people have died following an incident in the water near Shoreham Fort this afternoon.

"I spoke earlier with Sussex Police and Shoreham RNLI and have been briefed on the response by the emergency services."

[Ch Supt Collis said it is understood the group had entered the water for a swim]

Ch Supt Collis said it is understood the group had entered the water for a swim

Following the incident, the A259 Brighton Road was blocked in both directions from New Road to Kingston Lane.

A HM Coastguard helicopter was sent along with rescue teams from Littlehampton, Shoreham and Newhaven and an RNLI lifeboat from Shoreham.

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Anyone with information or video footage about the incident has been asked to contact Sussex Police online or via 101, quoting Operation North.

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