Shoreham Is Mourning a Family.
At about 2.40pm on Tuesday 18 August 2026, emergency services were called to reports of four people in difficulty in the sea close to Shoreham Fort.
Police, paramedics, Coastguard teams and a lifeboat responded. A father, a mother and their teenage daughter sadly died. A younger girl from the same family was rescued and, in the latest public update available when this guide was prepared, remained in hospital in a critical condition.
Police have treated the incident as a tragic accident with no suspected third-party involvement. We will not speculate about exactly how the family came into difficulty.
Our Deepest Sympathy to Everyone Affected.
Behind every emergency headline is a family, a circle of friends, a school, a neighbourhood and a community whose lives have changed forever.
Our thoughts are with those who died, the younger child receiving care, their loved ones, the emergency responders and members of the public affected by what they witnessed.
Sussex Taxis joins our community in mourning this devastating loss.
If You See Someone in Trouble in the Sea
Ask for the Coastguard
Say where you are, how many people are involved and what is happening. Use the beach name, landmarks, access points, signs or your phone location. Stay on the line and follow instructions.
Do Not Enter the Water
Even a strong swimmer can be overcome by cold-water shock, waves or currents. Entering may create a second casualty and leave nobody on shore to guide rescuers.
Reach or Throw From Safety
Use public rescue equipment, a throwline, lifebuoy or another object that floats. Stay low on firm ground and never allow yourself to be pulled in.
Keep the Person in Sight
Conditions can make a person difficult to see. Keep pointing at them. If others are present, send someone to meet emergency crews at the access point.
Do Not Call the Lifeboat Station Directly
RNLI guidance says to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard, who will task the correct search-and-rescue resources without delay.
Float to Live
Tilt your head back with your ears submerged. Relax and try to control your breathing. Gently move your hands and legs and spread them for stability. It is normal if your legs sink.
Once your breathing is controlled, call for help or swim to safety if you can. The RNLI says the initial effects of cold-water shock can pass in less than a minute, so do not exhaust yourself by fighting the water immediately.
If You Are Caught in a Rip Current
Do not swim against it
Swimming directly against a rip can rapidly exhaust even a capable swimmer.
Move parallel to the beach
If you cannot stand, swim parallel to shore until free of the current, then head towards safety.
Wade if you can stand
Wading may be safer and use less energy than trying to swim in shallow water.
Signal and float
Raise one arm, shout for help and Float to Live if you become tired.
Drowning First Aid: The First Minutes Matter
Initial Rescue Breaths
If the person is not breathing normally, NHS drowning guidance advises five initial rescue breaths before starting CPR. Call 999 and follow the call handler.
CPR if Trained and Confident
After the five initial rescue breaths, give 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. Continue cycles of 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths until the person begins to recover or emergency help takes over. Follow the 999 call handler's instructions.
Breathing but unconscious?
Use the recovery position if it is safe, keep the person warm and continue monitoring their breathing until help arrives.
They say they feel fine?
Anyone submerged or thought to have inhaled water should be assessed by medical professionals. Symptoms may not always be immediately obvious.
This information is general public guidance, not a replacement for emergency instructions or certified first-aid training.
Eight Checks That Reduce the Risk
Shoreham Harbour and the River Adur
Adur & Worthing Councils warn that commercial shipping, harbour entrances, lock gates and changing wind and tide conditions can make the area unsuitable for inexperienced water users and small craft.
Check before you go
Review current weather and tide information, observe all safety signs and identify a safe exit point before entering the water.
Carry the right equipment
Use suitable flotation, keep communication equipment within reach and ensure any craft is seaworthy.
Your 999 Call Can Be This Simple
Do not worry about finding perfect words. Call immediately, speak clearly and answer the operator's questions.
Keep the phone on loudspeaker if helpful. Do not end the call until the operator tells you to.
A 60-Second Emergency Plan
Four Risks Around Shoreham That May Not Be Obvious
When Children Are Near the Water
Stay within arm's reach
Active supervision means watching continuously, not checking a phone or assuming another adult is watching.
Teach floating early
Practise Float to Live in a supervised swimming pool so the movement feels familiar before an emergency.
Use suitable flotation
Choose properly fitted safety equipment for the activity. Inflatables are toys and can be blown offshore.
Agree a meeting point
Busy beaches can separate families. Pick a visible landmark and make sure children know to approach a lifeguard.
Do Not Assume the Danger Is Over
A person may look better after leaving the water but still need urgent assessment. Keep them warm, monitor breathing and wait for emergency professionals.
Breathing changes
Persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, unusual sleepiness, confusion or blue/grey lips require urgent medical attention.
Shock and hypothermia
Remove wet outer clothing if practical, protect the person from wind, cover them and follow ambulance instructions.
Official Information and Life-Saving Advice
Use the original emergency-service and public-authority guidance below. In an active emergency, do not browse websites: call 999 or 112.
Shoreham Water Safety FAQ
Who should I call if someone is in trouble in the sea?
Call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. Give the location, number of people and nature of the emergency.
Should I swim out to rescue them?
No. Stay out of the water, call for help, keep watching the casualty and throw flotation equipment from a safe position.
What does Float to Live mean?
Lean back, submerge your ears, relax, control your breathing and gently move your hands and legs to stay afloat. Once calm, call for help or swim to safety if able.
What should I do if they are not breathing?
Call 999. NHS drowning guidance advises five initial rescue breaths before CPR. Follow the emergency call handler's instructions.
Do they need medical attention after leaving the water?
Yes. A person who has been submerged or may have inhaled water should be assessed by medical professionals, even if they initially feel well.
How can I stay safer at Shoreham?
Check weather and tides, follow local signs, use lifeguarded areas where possible, supervise children continuously and never swim alone.