A couple and their teenage daughter have died after getting into difficulty in the sea off the West Sussex coast, police said on Tuesday. The incident occurred in Shoreham-by-Sea, according to Chief Superintendent James Collis of Sussex police.
A younger girl from the same family was taken to hospital and is in a critical condition. Next of kin have been informed.
Chief Superintendent Collis stated that it is understood all four entered the water from land for a swim and "sadly got into difficulty." Emergency services were called at approximately 4pm to assist the four individuals, who were all brought to shore. The coastguard is not searching for anyone else.
Sussex police have asked anyone with information or video footage to contact them.