Shoreham Net Tragedy
Three Die, One Critical After Family Tangled in Fishing Net Off Shoreham Coast
Key Points
RNLI lifeboats were dispatched quickly, with Shoreham Harbour rescue boats arriving at 2.51pm and two additional lifeboats sent from nearby Brighton shortly after 3pm.
Witnesses reported a family of four and said one child apparently got caught in a fishing net, prompting others to intervene.
Coastguard officials said they are not searching for anyone else in connection with the incident.
Emergency responders described a large-scale operation, including eight ambulances, multiple lifeboats and two helicopters being deployed.
Authorities have not yet named the victims, with next of kin informed and support being provided.
Three members of the same family drowned off Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, after a younger girl reportedly became tangled in a fishing net, according to Daily Mail and Daily Star. A man, a woman, and a teenage girl all died trying to help her. The younger girl was pulled from the water and taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Witnesses reported seeing four people struggling in choppy seas around 3pm on Sunday, The Sun reported. Emergency services launched a large-scale response, sending eight ambulances, multiple lifeboats, and two helicopters to the scene. Sussex Police confirmed all four victims were from the same family, who had been camping nearby.
How a Fishing Net Triggered a Family Tragedy
Eyewitnesses told emergency services that a younger girl got caught in a fishing net in the water off Shoreham beach, according to Express. The rest of the family jumped in to save her. One by one, the man, the woman, and the teenage girl all got into serious difficulty in the choppy conditions.
The Sun reported that the family was swept out to sea during the rescue attempt. All three adults or older family members drowned. The younger girl was recovered from the water but remained in a critical condition in hospital. Police have not yet released the names of any of the victims.
Massive Emergency Response Reached Scene Within Minutes
The rescue operation was one of the largest seen along this stretch of coast in recent memory. Shoreham Harbour rescue boats arrived at 2.51pm, according to Daily Star. Two more RNLI lifeboats were sent from Brighton shortly after 3pm. In total, eight ambulances, two coastguard helicopters, and multiple lifeboat crews were deployed.
Coastguard officials confirmed they are not searching for anyone else connected to the incident. All four people from the family have been accounted for. Despite the speed of the response, three of the four could not be saved from the rough seas.
Police Launch Investigation Into Exact Circumstances
Sussex Police said next of kin have been informed and are receiving support, according to Daily Mail. Officers confirmed the family had been camping near the beach before the incident. An investigation is now underway to fully understand what happened in the water that afternoon.
JOE reported that details are still being pieced together by investigators. Police have not yet revealed the nationalities or ages of the victims. Authorities stressed they are not treating the incident as suspicious and are not looking for any other individuals in connection with the deaths.
Shoreham Locals Describe Shock at Scene
Local fishermen and beachgoers described the sea conditions as choppy at the time of the incident, according to Daily Star. Several witnesses watched the rescue operation unfold from the shore. The beach at Shoreham-by-Sea is popular with families, especially during the summer camping season.
The tragedy has left the local community in shock. Emergency workers remained at the scene for several hours after the victims were recovered. Grief support services have been made available to those affected, including witnesses who saw the incident from the beach.
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