Shoreham beach tragedy: Fishing net claim emerges as three family members die and girl remains critically ill

Three members of the same family died after getting into difficulty in the water at Shoreham-by-Sea yesterday afternoon

Police and ambulances rushed to the scene in West Sussex shortly after 3pm

Two air ambulances were seen landing on the shore after the incident

Witnesses said that fishermen first reported that four people had got into difficulty in the water

A devastating tragedy at Shoreham-by-Sea has taken a new turn after witnesses claimed a child became caught in a fishing net shortly before four members of the same family got into serious difficulty in the water.

Three people — a man, a woman and a teenage girl — died following the incident, while a younger girl remains in critical condition in hospital.

The family is understood to have been camping nearby, with locals saying they had been staying in tents along the harbour front for several weeks.

Witnesses describe how the tragedy unfolded

Fishermen reported seeing four people struggling in the water off Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, at around 3pm yesterday, when sea conditions were described as choppy.

Joe Chrisp, 24, said a local fisherman told him there had been two adults and two children in the water.

“One of the kids apparently got caught in a fishing net,” he said.

A fisherman is also understood to have pulled one of the children from the water before raising the alarm.

The claim has not been confirmed by police, who are continuing to investigate exactly what happened.

Chief Superintendent James Collis said investigators currently believe all four family members entered the water from land to go swimming before getting into difficulty.

Huge emergency response

The alarm triggered a major rescue operation involving police, ambulances, coastguards, lifeboats and two air ambulances.

Eight ambulances were seen lined up along the shore as emergency crews worked at the scene, which is around a 20-minute drive from Brighton.

The RNLI said a lifeboat was launched from Shoreham at approximately 2.50pm, followed by two further lifeboats from Brighton shortly after 3pm.

HM Coastguard said it responded to the incident at around 2.45pm, sending a helicopter along with Littlehampton, Shoreham and Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Teams and an RNLI lifeboat from Shoreham.

Emergency services remained at the scene for several hours, with the police cordon eventually removed shortly before 9pm.

The nearby A259 Brighton Road was also closed in both directions between New Road and Kingston Lane.

Family had reportedly been camping nearby

Police were seen searching a car nearby

Chief Superintendent James Collis said the family had entered the water for a swim

Locals said the family had been living in tents near the harbour front for several weeks.

One resident, who did not wish to be identified, said: “I heard from friends in the Coastguard that it was a family who had been living in tents by the harbour front.

“They were camping just between the harbour arm and the fort. They have been there a couple weeks, I’ve walked my dog past them. People don’t usually camp there.”

The identities of those who died have not yet been released. The family is understood to have relatives living abroad.

Police have confirmed they are not searching for anyone else in connection with the incident.

‘A really strong sense of shock’

Joss Loader, who lives nearby and represents Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association on Adur District Council, said the tragedy had left the local community stunned.

“There’s just a really strong sense of shock, obviously people are really concerned for the young girl,” he said.

He described Shoreham as a close-knit community and said the incident had created a sense of disbelief because it had happened so suddenly.

“It’s school holidays and we have had a wonderful summer so the beaches have been packed with families,” he added.

Gary and Victoria Flint were visiting the beach with their children when the emergency unfolded.

Victoria, from Horsham, said they arrived at around 3pm and soon heard the lifeboat siren.

“We watched it launch then about 20 minutes later, it came back. Ambulances started arriving – more and more of them – then the air ambulances started,” she said.

Another witness told ITV News that police officers were seen examining belongings believed to belong to those involved.

Sea conditions under investigation

Local fisherman Alan Facer, 41, from Hove, said the conditions could have made the situation more dangerous.

“The wind earlier was south-westerly so usually the waves pick up quite a bit. At 3pm, the tide would have been quite high,” he said.

Sussex Police confirmed that the younger girl remains critically ill and said specialist officers are supporting the family.

The force said: “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.”

An investigation is now underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Community rallies around the surviving girl

Tom Rutland, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, described the incident as a tragedy and said his thoughts were with the family and friends of those who had died.

He also expressed hope for the recovery of the young girl who remains in hospital.

The incident has deeply affected the local community, particularly during the school holidays when the beaches have been busy with families.

Authorities are continuing to examine what happened in the water, including the circumstances surrounding the reported fishing-net incident, as they work to establish how the tragedy unfolded.