Sussex police say a couple and their teenage daughter have died after getting into difficulty in the sea off Shoreham-by-Sea, while a younger girl is in a critical condition.
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Key facts
- A man, a woman and a teenage girl died after an incident off Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex.
- A younger girl is in a critical condition.
- The three who died were a couple and their teenage daughter, according to police.
- Sussex police chief superintendent James Collis confirmed the deaths.
- The incident was reported on Tuesday, according to the Guardian.
A man, a woman and a teenage girl have died after a family got into difficulty in the sea off the West Sussex coast, Sussex police said on Tuesday, according to the Guardian.
The chief superintendent of Sussex police, James Collis, confirmed the deaths following the incident at Shoreham-by-Sea.
Police described the three who died as a couple and their teenage daughter. A younger girl is in a critical condition, according to the force.
The Guardian reported the news on 18 August 2026, citing Sussex police as the source for details of the incident.
No further details about the circumstances of how the family got into difficulty were provided in the available information.
Why it matters
The deaths highlight the ongoing dangers posed by open water, particularly for families visiting coastal areas. Incidents like this often prompt renewed safety warnings and heightened attention to water rescue and beach safety measures.
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the Shoreham-by-Sea incident?
Three people died: a man, a woman and a teenage girl, who Sussex police said were a couple and their teenage daughter.
Is anyone still receiving medical care?
Yes. According to Sussex police, a younger girl is in a critical condition.
Who confirmed the details of the incident?
The chief superintendent of Sussex police, James Collis, confirmed the deaths, as reported by the Guardian.
Timeline
- Three dead after family get into difficulty in water off Shoreham-by-Sea
The Guardian World: A man, woman and teenage girl have died, while a younger girl is in a critical condition, say Sussex police A couple and their teenage daughter have died after getting into difficulty in the sea off the West Sussex coast, police said on Tuesday. A man, a woman and a teenage girl