Three family members die in drowning tragedy in West Sussex

A tragic drowning incident occurred on Tuesday, August 19, 2026, at approximately 3 p.m. in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, Great Britain. Three members of the same family—a man, a woman, and a teenage girl—died after getting into serious difficulty while swimming in rough waters. A young girl, the fourth family member involved, was rescued and remains in critical condition at a local hospital. The family had reportedly been camping near the site of the incident.

Witnesses suggest the tragedy may have been triggered when one of the children became entangled in a fishing net while swimming. According to a statement from 24-year-old Joe Crisp, who cited a local fisherman, the group consisted of two adults and two children. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event to clarify the sequence of events and how the fishing gear might have contributed to the fatalities. The local community remains in shock as emergency responders and investigators continue to process the scene.