A somber discovery was made on the Brighton coast following an extensive search operation that lasted through the night and into the next morning. The search began just before 4pm on Wednesday when reports emerged that a person had been swept into the sea as Storm Noel wreaked havoc on the south coast. The stormy conditions, which included heavy winds, prompted an immediate response from the emergency services, with multiple teams converging on the area.
RNLI lifeboats, coastguard rescue teams, and police units, including two helicopter crews, joined forces to scour the waters and shorelines in search of the missing person. Despite the challenging conditions, the search continued late into the evening, with all efforts suspended in fading light around 9pm. However, the search resumed at 6am the following day, with authorities taking advantage of more favorable weather conditions.
Tragically, a body was found on the beach at Saltdean, just outside Brighton, at approximately 8:15 am on Thursday. The circumstances surrounding the death are currently under investigation, and further updates will be provided in due course, according to a statement from Sussex police.
This is the second reported fatality in the area within a short period, following the discovery of a woman’s body in the water off Brighton beach on Tuesday. Emergency services conducted a search in response to reports of a person in distress, and despite their efforts, the woman’s body was found. Her death is not being treated as suspicious, and a coroner’s report will be prepared.
Meanwhile, a woman was seriously injured on Wednesday in Fareham, Hampshire, when scaffolding collapsed onto a main shopping street. In Blackpool, customers on the Big One rollercoaster were escorted down from the ride after it was stopped due to the adverse weather conditions.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance during severe weather events and the heroism of those who risk their lives to aid those in distress.