A couple and their teenage daughter have died after getting into difficulty in the sea off Shoreham.
A younger girl from the same family, who was pulled from the sea by the emergency services, is in a critical condition, police said this evening.
Several ambulances and two air ambulances were sent to the harbour near the RNLI lifeboat station this afternoon.
Sussex Police said that the emergency services were responding to four people getting into difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort.
Speaking to reporters this evening, Chief Superintendent James Collis said that a man, a woman and a teenage girl died, while a younger girl from the same family was in a critical condition in hospital.
Chief Superintendent Collis said: “At around 2.40pm this afternoon, emergency services were called to reports of four people in difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort.
“Sussex Police officers supported His Majesty’s Coastguard and the RNLI, as all four people were brought ashore.
“Tragically, despite the best efforts of paramedics, three people – a man, woman and teenage girl – have sadly been confirmed deceased.
“A younger girl has been taken to hospital and is in a critical condition.
“We can confirm all four people were members of the same family and their next of kin have been informed.
“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 and inquiries are ongoing alongside our partners to understand the full details.
“At this point we believe all four entered the water from the land to swim and sadly got into difficulty.
“Our partners in His Majesty’s Coastguard have completed an extensive search of the water and we are not searching for anyone else.
“I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding during the emergency response.
“Anyone with any information or video footage that could assist in our inquiries is asked to contact us online or via 101, quoting Operation North.”
