TWO people have been rescued after jumping into the sea.

The Shoreham RNLI lifeboat saved a man and a woman from struggling in the water after they jumped off Worthing Pier yesterday.  

The Shoreham crew located the pair near the pier and pulled them into the lifeboat at about 2.30pm.

They were taken ashore at Worthing to meet an ambulance, and then taken to hospital to be checked.

The woman was distressed and suffered from a low body temperature due to being in the cold water. 

A Littlehampton lifeboat, two mobile coastguard teams and the coastguard helicopter were also involved in the rescue.

Steve Smith, of Shoreham lifeboats, said: "They were both tired and cold after jumping into the water and trying to swim.

"We responded as quickly as possible and rescued them from the sea.

“We just did what we are there to do, saving lives at sea.”

A spokeswoman for Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "At around 2.20pm yesterday, Sussex Police requested HM Coastguard assistance after a member of the public alerted them that two people were in difficulty in the water near Worthing Pier.

"HM Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter based at Lee-on-Solent, Shoreham and Littlehampton Coastguard Rescue Teams, Littlehampton and Shoreham RNLI inshore lifeboats, Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service and Worthing Beach Office were all on the scene.

"The two people were recovered from the water by the lifeboats and taken ashore, where they were placed in the care of the waiting South East Coast Ambulance Service.

"Some safety advice: The water around the UK is classified as ‘cold’ for much of the year.

"Sudden immersion in cold water triggers cold water shock – even for the strongest swimmer. 

"Cold water shock causes uncontrollable gasping and the instinctive reaction to thrash about and panic, which can quickly lead to drowning.

"We want people to know the recommended immediate action to take should they experience this reaction when in trouble in cold water.

"Along with our good friends at the RNLI we’re continuing to share the skill – floating – to help people survive. If you’re suddenly in difficulty in cold water, you need to fight the basic instinct to thrash about or swim.

"Instead, floating allows a person to regain control of their breathing, before then trying to swim or shout for help.

"We would also recommend that anyone taking a trip to the coast should take a fully charged mobile phone with them. 

"If you get into difficulty or you see anyone in trouble on the coast call 999 immediately and ask for the Coastguard."