Child struggling in the Hastings sea prompts huge response

A multi-agency emergency response was triggered on Monday, 11 May 2026, after reports that a young child was struggling in the sea at St Leonards, near Hastings

Emergency crews were called to the beach shortly before 5:00 pm. The rescue operation involved: 

• HM Coastguard teams from Hastings, Bexhill, and Rye Bay.
• RNLI lifesavers, including the Eastbourne relief inshore lifeboat and Hastings RNLI crews.
• Sussex Police and the South East Coast Ambulance Service. 

During the operation, authorities also received a report of a missing youth in the area, but they quickly confirmed that the child pulled from the water was the individual reported missing. The child was safely brought ashore and treated by ambulance staff at the scene. Following the incident, HM Coastguard reminded the public about the lingering risk of cold water shock, even as spring weather warms up.