Three people from the same family have died after getting into difficulty in the water off Shoreham-by-Sea on Tuesday afternoon. A younger girl from the family remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Emergency services responded to reports that four people had entered the water from the land for a swim and got into difficulty. All four were brought ashore.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, three people, a man, a woman and a teenage girl, were confirmed deceased.
The fourth casualty, a younger girl, was taken to hospital, where she remains in a critical condition. Police confirmed all four were from the same family and their next of kin have been informed.
The incident triggered a massive emergency service response on the beach. Two air ambulances were called to the scene and landed on the beach, while a fleet of ambulances was seen moving up and down the road for much of the day.
Police, His Majesty's Coast Guard and the RNLI were all involved in the response. The Coast Guard completed an extensive search of the water, and police said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
It is not yet clear what caused the group to get into difficulty. Correspondents at the scene noted strong winds in the area and reported that the waters had been very choppy earlier in the day.
Sussex Police said inquiries are ongoing under the name Operation North, and specialist officers are supporting the family. Anyone with information or video footage has been asked to contact police online or via 101.