Three family members die after getting into difficulty off Sussex coast

A man, a woman and a teenage girl have died after getting into difficulty in the water near Shoreham Fort, West Sussex, while a younger girl from the same family is in a critical condition in hospital

Carrington Walker Live News Journalist and Anahita Hossein-Pour and Stanley Murphy-Johns Press Association

22:06, 18 Aug 2026Updated 22:59, 18 Aug 2026

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A couple and their teenage daughter have tragically lost their lives after encountering difficulties off the Sussex coastline.

Numerous ambulances and two air ambulances were spotted in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, close to the RNLI station on Tuesday afternoon. Sussex Police confirmed that emergency services responded to four individuals struggling in the water near Shoreham Fort.

It is thought the family entered the water to swim, before getting into difficulty.

Addressing journalists this evening, Chief Superintendent James Collis revealed that a man, a woman and a teenage girl had died, while a younger girl from the same family remains in a critical condition in hospital.

[Shoreham Harbour and River Adur viewed from lifeboat station with new building developments on left. West Sussex. England]

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The incident took place a short distance from Shoreham Port(Image: Nickos via Getty Images)

He 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. 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."

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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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