Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has publicly addressed the dangers associated with open-water swimming following a tragic incident in Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex. On Tuesday afternoon, emergency services were called to the coast after four members of the same family encountered severe difficulties while swimming in the water.

Despite a significant emergency response, the parents and their teenage daughter were confirmed to have died. A fourth family member, a young girl, was rescued and remains in critical condition in the hospital. Sussex Police have stated that their preliminary investigation indicates all four individuals entered the water specifically to swim.

Andy Burnham described the event as a “terrible family tragedy” and extended his sympathies to the surviving family members and those affected by the loss. While the incident has prompted renewed discussions regarding water safety, authorities continue to investigate the specific circumstances that led to the family getting into difficulty. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of open-water environments, even for those intending to swim.