Yesterday afternoon (18 August), three people tragically lost their lives in the sea off Shoreham, and a fourth person remains in hospital in a critical condition having been recovered from the water.
All four people have been formally identified and we can confirm they were all members of the same family.
Hassan El-Khawas, 55, his partner, Zeina Alayn, 37 and their 14-year-old daughter, Sara El-Khawas were all confirmed deceased at the scene after being pulled from the water.
A fourth person, a young girl who was also part of the family, remains in hospital in a critical condition.
It is understood the family travelled down from their home in London to visit Shoreham, and entered the water from the beach at Shoreham Fort around 2pm on Tuesday afternoon, before getting into trouble.
A significant emergency service response followed including, HM Coastguard, the RNLI and South East Coast Ambulance Service and police.
The investigation into the incident remains open, but following review of CCTV footage and initial witness accounts, the current hypothesis is that this was a tragic accident, with no third-party involvement.
Our enquiries will continue and a file will be prepared for HM Coroner ahead of an inquest.
Chief Superintendent James Collis said: “The events of Tuesday afternoon are a heartbreaking tragedy which has devastated a family and their friends and had a profound impact on the Shoreham community.
"The thoughts of all at Sussex Police remain with the family’s loved ones as we work with our partners, including HM Coroner, to understand exactly how this incident occurred.
“The emergency response was significant, and I would like to thank all of the first responders for their determined attempts to save all four people, as well as the wider public for their patience during the incident.
“We will release further updates as soon as we are able, but we ask the family are given the privacy they deserve at this incredibly difficult time.”
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