Six people have died over the holiday weekend, including a 26-year-old man who was killed in a ‘life-threatening’ jet ski accident in front of beachgoers.
Around 6 o’clock yesterday evening, emergency services were called to Worthing Beach, which is located around 10 miles west of Brighton.
The man was rushed to the hospital in a “life-threatening” condition, according to the ambulance service, and the coast guard reported that his jet ski capsized while he was out at sea.
The man passed away at the hospital later that evening, Sussex Police reported Metro.co.uk.
‘Emergency services responded to a report of a medical incident in the sea at Worthing beach, shortly before 6pm on Monday, May 29,’ a spokesperson said.
‘A 26-year-old man was taken to hospital, where sadly he was later declared deceased.
‘His next of kin have been informed. There were no suspicious circumstances. A report will be prepared for HM Coroner.’
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘HM Coastguard, Sussex Police, South East Ambulance Service and an air ambulance responded to reports of a man separated from his jet ski off Goring-by-Sea yesterday, 29 May.
‘At around 6pm, a Coastguard Rescue Team from Littlehampton and a lifeboat from Littlehampton RNLI were sent to the scene.’
South East Ambulance Service said paramedics were called to Littlehampton Boat Station at 6pm.
‘Ambulance crews attended and were joined at the scene by the Kent, Surrey, Sussex Air Ambulance Service,’ the spokesperson confirmed.
‘A man was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition.’
The incident came only a day after a paddleboarder in Worthing died after suffering a medical incident in the water.
At about 5:40pm on Sunday, as the south coast wound down after a day of sweltering 24°C sun, a man in his 70s was treated by ambulance workers.
He was later pronounced dead at the scene.
At least four other people died across the bank holiday weekend, including a swimmer during the Swansea Triathlon and two men at Torbay, Devon.
A schoolboy also died after he and his friends struggled while swimming in Cumbria’s River Eden.
Lewis Michael Kirkpatrick, 15, was found dead 1:30pm on Saturday.