Police say three people have died and one other person is in a critical condition after the emergency response in Shoreham.
Police said their initial understanding was that all four had entered the water from the land to swim before getting into difficulty at around 2:40pm on Tuesday, 18th of August.
HM Coastguard carried out an extensive search of the water and later confirmed there was nobody else being sought.
A Coastguard helicopter was deployed along with rescue teams from Littlehampton, Shoreham and Newhaven and an RNLI lifeboat from Shoreham. South East Coast Ambulance Service also sent a number of resources to the incident.
A section of the A259 was closed while emergency services dealt with the incident.
Sussex Police said enquiries were continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding what happened.
Chief Superintendent James Collis said: “At around 2.40pm this afternoon, emergency services were called to reports of four people in difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort.
“Sussex Police officers supported His Majesty’s Coastguard and the RNLI, as all four people were brought ashore.
“Tragically, despite the best efforts of paramedics, three people – a man, woman and teenage girl – have sadly been confirmed deceased.
“A younger girl has been taken to hospital and is in a critical condition.
“We can confirm all four people were members of the same family, and their next of kin have been informed.
“Specialist officers are supporting them at this incredibly difficult time, and our thoughts are with their family and friends.
“I know this incident will have a profound effect on the community, and enquiries are ongoing alongside our partners to understand the full details.
“At this point we believe all four entered the water from the land to swim and sadly got into difficulty.
“Our partners in His Majesty’s Coastguard have completed an extensive search of the water and we are not searching for anyone else.
“I would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding during the emergency response.
“Anyone with any information or video footage that could assist in our enquiries is asked to contact us online or via 101, quoting Operation North.”
We will provide further updates as soon as we are able.
On the social media platform Facebook the MP for East Worthing and Shoreham Tom Rutland shared the following statement:
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