‘Heart-rending tragedy’: Local councillors react to ‘terrible accident’published at 19:22 BST
19:22 BST
Image source, PA Media
Local Councillor, Joss Loader, who represents the Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association and has lived in the area most of her life, describes the deaths as a “shocking, heart-rending tragedy”.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ family and friends – particularly the younger girl who is now in hospital,” she said.
The councillor also told the BBC that the beach “is a challenging environment and it can be difficult to get in and out of the sea, during certain conditions”.
“This a tight-knit community and there is a sense of profound shock and heart-felt sympathy for this family, who were enjoying a visit to the beach when tragedy struck.”
Julia Watts, the chair of Adur District Council has said she is “very shocked” by the deaths, which she says seem like an “ignominious end” to a summer that has seen local beaches safely welcome thousands of visitors.
“We obviously don’t know the circumstances of how they got into difficulty but the sea will never be completely safe,” Councillor Watts was quoted as saying in the Argus, the local newspaper.
“Many of us swim every day weather permitting and for people to lose their lives on a warm day in August seems unfathomable.”
Watts sent her thanks to the emergency services “who responded quickly and in force” and said the local community “will need time to come to terms with this terrible accident.”