A 67-year-old woman has died in hospital after being swept out to sea.

The woman from Goring was seen by eye-witnesses going into the sea at the mouth of the River Arun at Littlehampton Pier at just after 2.15pm on Saturday.

Police officers, coastguard crew and lifeboat volunteers all rushed to the scene as the woman was carried out to sea by strong currents.

She was pulled out of the sea and stabilised before being taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, where she was pronounced dead at just after 9pm last night.

PC Andy Baynes from Littlehampton Police said: "She was carried out to sea by strong currents. A lifeboat crew and HM Coastguard officers were quickly on the scene.

“The RNLI crew pulled her from the rough seas and returned her to shore where she was stabilised before being taken by ambulance to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

"Sadly, she was pronounced dead just after 9pm. Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time."

A Sussex Police spokesman added: “The 67-year-old woman from Goring-by-Sea has been identified by her family, but has not yet been formally named.

“Her death is not being treated as suspicious and the matter has been passed to the coroner's officer.”

Did you know the woman or see the incident?

If so please call 01273 544530, email neil.vowles@theargus.co.uk or leave your comments below.