Shoreham deaths: Inquest due to open tomorrow

An inquest is due to open into the deaths of four members of the same family who were pulled from the sea at Shoreham two weeks ago.

Senior coroner Penelope Schofield is expected to open the inquests at the West Sussex, Brighton and Hove Coroner’s Court in Horsham tomorrow (Wednesday 2 September).

Hussam Abdallah El-Khawas, 55, his wife Zeina Alayan, 37, and their daughter 13-year-old daughter Sara Hussam El-Khawas died in Shoreham on Tuesday 18 August.

Another daughter, 6-year-old Saja Hussam El-Khawas, died at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, in London, three days later on Friday 21 August.

Their funerals took place at the Rashidieh Palestinian refugee camp, on the Mediterranean coast, near Tyre, in Lebanon, where they lived before coming to Britain.

A crowdfunder has so far raised more than £27,000 towards the cost of repatriating their bodies and other needs. To donate, click here.

The Palestinian Forum in Britain (PFB) said that family members faced visa restrictions that prevented them from being able to come to Britain for a funeral.

Mohamad Fadi, of the PFB, said: “The main reason for raising the funds was to transfer the bodies to Lebanon and allow the family to see them for the last time and to support the family as well.”

Any surplus would go towards the “immediate and ongoing welfare, care and educational support for the two surviving children”.

Reports from the scene suggested that Sara may have gone into the water to help her younger sister Saja who was in difficulty.

The older sister’s school, Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls, in Ealing, west London, paid tribute to her, saying: “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.”

Tributes including flowers have also been left at Kingston Beach, in Shoreham, close to where all four members of the family were pulled from the water.

Sussex Police said: “The investigation into the incident remains open but, following review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, the current hypothesis is that this was a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement.”