A couple and their teenage daughter have died after getting into difficulty off the Sussex coast.

Sussex Police confirmed emergency services were responding to four people getting into difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort.

The force believe the family entered the water from land for a swim.

Speaking to reporters, Chief Superintendent James Collis said a man, a woman and a teenage girl died, while a younger girl from the same family is in a critical condition in hospital.

He said: “Around 2.40 pm this afternoon, emergency services were called to reports of four people in difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort.

“Sussex Police supported His Majesty’s Coast Guard and the RNLI as all four people were brought to shore.

“Tragically, despite the best efforts of paramedics, three people – a man, a woman, and a teenage girl – were sadly confirmed deceased.

“A younger girl has been taken to hospital and is in critical condition. We can confirm all four people were from the same family, and their next of kin have been informed.”

Specialist officers are supporting the family’s next of kin.

Following the incident, the A259 Brighton Road was blocked in both directions from New Road to Kingston Lane.

A HM Coastguard helicopter was sent along with rescue teams from Littlehampton, Shoreham and Newhaven and an RNLI lifeboat from Shoreham.

Anyone with information or video footage about the incident has been asked to contact Sussex Police online or via 101, quoting Operation North.