A 51-year-old man has died after getting into difficulty in the sea at Brighton on New Year’s Day, police said today (Friday 2 January).
The coastguard said that they were first alerted to “an incident involving a male swimmer in difficulty in the water” at about 10.10am.
A coastguard helicopter was sent to the scene along with the Brighton RNLI lifeboat.
Sussex Police received a 999 call at 10.35am yesterday (Thursday 1 January) after the swimmer, from Kettering, Northamptonshire, had been pulled from the water by Albion Groyne, west of the Palace Pier.
Sussex Police said: “Police were alerted to a man who had been recovered from the sea after getting into difficulty to the west of the Palace Pier at around 10.35am on Thursday 1 January.
“A 51-year-old man, from Kettering, was brought to shore and received medical attention.
“Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.
“The coroner has been informed and the death is not being treated as suspicious.”
The death comes after the disappearance of Matthew Upham, 63, and another man during a Christmas Day swim in the Devon seaside town of Budleigh Salterton.
Mr Upham and the other man, aged in his forties, reportedly went missing after entering the water to help a woman in difficulty.
A number of people were rescued from the stormy water and checked by paramedics or taken to hospital as a precaution.
But the two men were not located, Devon and Cornwall Police said previously.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) said that the effects of cold water shock, combined with the weather conditions, posed a risk to anyone entering water at 15C (59F) or below.
This was especially the case at a time of year when the average sea temperature around the country was 6C to 10C – or below 50F.
Gareth Morrison, head of water safety for the RNLI, said: “We know this time of year many people take part in festive and new year dips or continue to take part in regular winter swims.
“We are urging anyone entering the water to be aware of the dangers, check sea conditions carefully and to understand their own limitations.
“With the sea temperatures still dropping – and reaching their coldest around March – the effects of cold water, combined with weather conditions and any personal health issues, should be taken seriously before venturing in.
“If it’s your first time in open water, we’d recommend you speak to your GP first, particularly for those with cardiac or underlying health conditions.”
