Adur council chair responds to Shoreham sea tragedy

The chair of Adur District Council has paid tribute to the three people who died in Shoreham.

Councillor Julia Watts (Marine), said she was ‘very shocked’ by the tragedy.

On Tuesday, August 18, three members of the same family died after getting into difficulty in the sea off Shoreham, while a fourth family member was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Cllr Watts said: “We obviously don’t know the circumstances of how they got into difficulty but the sea will never be completely safe.

“Many of us swim every day weather permitting and for people to lose their lives on a warm day in August seems unfathomable.”

She also sent her condolences to the family and friends of those who died and said she hoped the child who was taken to hospital makes a full recovery.

“We are grateful to our emergency services who responded quickly and in force. The National Coastwatch Institution operates from their tower at Shoreham Fort, and Kingston Beach houses the Shoreham Lifeboat,” she added.

“Other services including the air ambulance were quickly on the scene, but in this case lives were still lost. We will need time to come to terms with this terrible accident as a community.

“We have welcomed thousands of visitors to our town and beaches over this hot summer utterly safely and it seems like an ignominious end.”

Police have named three of those involved in the tragedy Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his partner, Zeina Alayn, 37 and their 14-year-old daughter, Sara El-Khawas were all confirmed deceased at the scene after being pulled from the water.

A fourth person, a young girl who was also part of the family, remains in hospital in a critical condition.

It is understood the family travelled down from their home in London to visit Shoreham, and entered the water from the beach at Shoreham Fort around 2pm on Tuesday afternoon, before getting into trouble.

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.

Our enquiries will continue and a file will be prepared for HM Coroner ahead of an inquest.

Chief Superintendent James Collis said: “The events of Tuesday afternoon are a heartbreaking tragedy which has devastated a family and their friends and had a profound impact on the Shoreham community.

"The thoughts of all at Sussex Police remain with the family’s loved ones as we work with our partners, including HM Coroner, to understand exactly how this incident occurred.

“The emergency response was significant, and I would like to thank all of the first responders for their determined attempts to save all four people, as well as the wider public for their patience during the incident.

“We will release further updates as soon as we are able, but we ask the family are given the privacy they deserve at this incredibly difficult time.”

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