A huge emergency response is underway after two adults and two children reportedly from the same family were ‘pulled from the water’ at a British seaside town. 

Ambulances, helicopters and lifeguards rushed to the scene in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, after four people found themselves in difficulty in the sea. 

Reports suggest that fishermen spotted a young girl in the water at around 3pm before a boy, a woman and a man were also sighted. 

All four are thought to be members of the same family and were pulled ashore to receive emergency treatment. An update on their condition is yet to be provided.  

Emergency services including eight ambulances and two helicopters remained at the scene, around a 20 minute drive from Brighton, beyond 6pm this evening.  

Road closures have been put in place nearby with the A259 Brighton Road, which runs alongside the beach, blocked in both directions from New Road to Kingston Lane.

An eyewitness told ITV News: ‘I was up near the Coastguard tower when I saw two police officers come past me holding evidence bags after they looked to be going through belongings of, presumably, those who were involved in the incident.

‘The evidence bags did contain what appeared to be younger child’s clothing and other assorted items, and from that, I presume children were involved.’ 

Air ambulances are pictured on the coast in Shoreham-by-sea after four people got into difficulty in the water

Emergency services remained at the scene, around a 20 minute drive from Brighton, beyond 6pm this evening

South East Coast Ambulance Service had a number of vehicles at the scene 

A large emergency response presence is in the area and nearby roads have been closed

A spokesman 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. 

An ambulance spokesman 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.’