A huge emergency response is underway following reports of four people getting into difficulty in the water at a British seaside town.
Sussex Police said emergency services were called to the scene in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, this afternoon.
Several ambulances from South East Coast Ambulance Service have been dealing with the incident, alongside coastguard helicopters and other search and rescue vehicles.
Road closures have been put in place near the scene while the casualties receive emergency first aid.
The A259 Brighton Road, which runs alongside the beach there, was blocked in both directions from New Road to Kingston Lane because of the incident.
A spokesperson from the RNLI said lifeboat crews were launched at around 2.50pm this afternoon.
Two other lifeboats were also launched from the Brighton lifeboat station shortly after 3pm.
Two air ambulances are standing by at Shoreham Lifeboat station to attend an incident this afternoon
Ambulances at the scene following reports of four people getting into difficulty in the water
South East Coast Ambulance Service has a number of vehicles at the scene
A large emergency response presence is in the area following reports of four people getting into difficulty in the water
An ambulance spokesperson said: ‘South East Coast Ambulance Service is currently responding to reports of four people in need of medical attention after getting into difficulty in the water near Shoreham Harbour.
‘We were called shortly after 3pm and have a number of ambulance resources at the scene. We have no further information to share at this time but will provide updates as soon as possible.’
The Coastguard said it ‘responded to an incident reported at Shoreham at about 2.45pm’.
They added: ‘An HM Coastguard helicopter was sent as well as Littlehampton, Shoreham and Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Teams, and an RNLI lifeboat from Shoreham.’
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: ‘Emergency services are currently responding to reports of four people in difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort.
‘A section of the A259 in Shoreham has been closed as the incident remains ongoing, and we’re urging the public to stay clear of the area in the meantime.’
Tom Rutland, Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, also made a similar request – posting on X: ‘Please stay clear of the area around Shoreham Fort and Kingston Beach as emergency services respond to reports of several people in difficulty in the water there.’
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
