Horror in UK seaside town as choppers race to
Three members of the same family, including a man, a woman and a teenage girl, have died after getting into trouble in water off Shoreham-by-Sea, while a younger girl from the same family is in a critical condition, Sussex Police have said.
A couple and their teenage daughter have died after getting into difficulty off the Sussex coast.
Multiple ambulances and two air ambulances were seen in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, near the RNLI station on Tuesday afternoon.
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Three members of the same family, including a man, a woman and a teenage girl, have died after getting into trouble in water off Shoreham-by-Sea, while a younger girl from the same family is in a critical condition, Sussex Police have said.
A couple and their teenage daughter have died after getting into difficulty off the Sussex coast.
Nearby resident Pete Book said he was "walking home from the pub" when he "saw and heard the Coastguard helicopter circling over the lifeboat station on the beach". He told the BBC: "As I neared home, a yellow air ambulance helicopter landed.
"There were a lot of ambulances, Coastguard and police vehicles converging on the area, and the coast road was closed. An orange-and-white air ambulance then landed, and the Coastguard helicopter flew off."
A local resident told the Express that emergency services are now leaving the area after dealing with four people who got into difficulty in the sea, though the road still remains closed.
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The Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, Tom Rutland, said he is "deeply concerned" about reports of four people getting into difficulty in the water and sent his well wishes to their families.
I am deeply concerned by the reports of a number of people getting into difficulty in the water near Shoreham Harbour this afternoon.
My thoughts are with everyone involved and their loved ones at what will undoubtedly be an extremely worrying time.
One resident told the Express: "I first heard the helicopters go past my home on the seafront. This was quickly followed by sirens, it is the most emergency services I have ever seen in my life.
"I saw Coastguard crews turn up, police, ambulance and critical incident units. Police were quick to cordon the road. There has been nothing like this happen on the beach before in the whole 25 years I have lived in the town. It's a safe beach with an RNLI station and a watch tower.
"Many people who were on the beach shared the same view as me - that we hope everyone involved will be okay. There are a lot of concerned local residents around the cordon watching it unfold."
An RNLI spokesman said an ambulance could be seen leaving under a police escort with its blue lights flashing, Sky News reports.
A new image from the scene shows the police cordon in place along the A259 as the road remains closed while emergency services deal with the four people who got into difficulty in the water.
A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "South East Coast Ambulance Service is currently responding to reports of four people in need of medical attention after getting into difficulty in the water near Shoreham Harbour.
"We were called shortly after 3pm and have a number of ambulance resources at the scene. We have no further information to share at this time but will provide updates as soon as possible."
A Coastguard spokesperson said: "HM Coastguard responded to an incident reported at Shoreham at about 2.45pm on August 18.
"An HM Coastguard helicopter was sent as well as Littlehampton, Shoreham and Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Teams, and an RNLI lifeboat from Shoreham.
"Sussex Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service also attended."
Sussex Police urged people to "steer clear of the area" while emergency services deal with four people who got into difficulty in the water.
Sussex Police said: "Emergency services are currently responding to reports of four people in difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort.
"A section of the A259 in Shoreham has been closed as the incident remains ongoing. We’re urging the public to stay clear of the area in the meantime. We will provide more information as soon as we are able to."
Images from the scene show police officers at the beach alongside the Coastguard search and rescue team.
A RNLI spokesperson added: "Shoreham RNLI were tasked by HM Coastguard at approximately 3pm on Tuesday, August 18. For more information contact Sussex Police."
RNLI lifeboats were sent out from Shoreham Harbour at 2.51pm and Brighton Lifeboat Station at 3.08pm and 3.10pm on Tuesday.
The AA is reporting that the A259, which runs along the beach, has been closed.
A video posted to Facebook by Lewis Blackman shows an air ambulance landing at the beach while a number of people exit the water, one carrying a surfboard.
Roger Pettitt told the Argus that his daughter, who lives near the seafront, saw two helicopters landing at the port.
"A yellow helicopter landed by the lifeboat station", she told him, followed by a red and white one. "There's loads of police, loads of ambulances, fire engines. A lot of sirens."
Multiple ambulances and police vehicles have rushed to the port, as well as two air ambulances.
Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of the incident at Shoreham Port. Follow along for all the latest updates.