Shoreham Rescue Operation
Major Emergency Response Underway as Four People Face Difficulty Off Shoreham Coast
Key Points
The A259 Brighton Road was blocked in both directions, with the closure extending from New Road to Kingston Lane as part of the incident response.
Two air ambulances were deployed to the scene near Shoreham RNLI station.
Witness accounts described rough sea conditions due to high winds, which affected the scale and focus of the response along a short stretch of coastline.
RNLI lifeboat operations involved multiple launches: Shoreham lifeboat crews were dispatched around 2:50pm, with two additional boats launched about 10 minutes later, and later additional lifeboats from the Brighton lifeboat station.
A major rescue operation is underway off the Sussex coast after four people were reported in difficulty in the water near Shoreham Fort, Shoreham-by-Sea. LBC reports the incident remains ongoing, with emergency services from multiple agencies converging on the scene.
Sussex Police closed the A259 Brighton Road in both directions, blocking traffic from New Road to Kingston Lane. Two air ambulances landed near the Shoreham RNLI station, alongside multiple ground ambulances, according to Sussex News.
Four People in the Water Near Shoreham Fort
The call came in around 2:45pm. HM Coastguard dispatched a rescue helicopter and multiple coastal teams to the scene near Shoreham Harbour, Daily Record reports. The South East Coast Ambulance Service also sent crews to assist.
Witness accounts described rough sea conditions caused by high winds. Yahoo News noted that several ambulances and two air ambulances were already at the scene as the incident developed. Authorities have not yet confirmed the condition of any of the four people involved.
Lifeboats Launch in Waves as Response Escalates
Shoreham RNLI crews launched their first lifeboat around 2:50pm. Two more boats followed roughly 10 minutes later, according to My London. Additional lifeboats from Brighton's station were also sent out, widening the search area along the coastline.
The scale of the water response pointed to a serious and fast-moving situation. Multiple coastguard units worked alongside the RNLI across what Sussex News described as a short but active stretch of the shoreline near the fort.
Road Closures Snarl Traffic as Scene Is Secured
Sussex Police shut the A259 in both directions as part of the emergency response. The closure ran from New Road to Kingston Lane, causing significant traffic disruption in the area, LBC reported. Drivers were urged to find alternative routes.
Police urged the public to stay well clear of the scene. The road closure allowed ambulances, coastguard vehicles, and other emergency units to move freely. Helicopters were spotted flying overhead by residents near the harbour, according to Daily Record.
Incident Still Developing, No Final Update on Victims
As of the latest reports, authorities had not released a final update on the four people's conditions. The rescue operation was described as ongoing by all agencies involved. Sussex News called it a coordinated, multi-agency effort involving police, ambulance, coastguard, and lifeboat crews.
The exact circumstances that led the four individuals into difficulty remain unclear. No official statement has confirmed whether all four were recovered from the water. Updates are expected as the operation concludes, My London noted.
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