A GIRL was rescued by fire crews after breaking her arm while open water swimming.

Three teenage girls were reportedly swimming in Lindfield, near Haywards Heath.

However, while two of the girls were able to climb out of the water, one was unable to do so due to injury.

Emergency services were called to the fast-flowing water in East Mascalls Lane at 3:17pm this afternoon (August 9), rescuing the girl.

Crews from Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill and the service’s Technical Rescue Unit attended alongside Sussex Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service.

READ MORE: Flood warning in place as thunderstorms set to batter county

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Three females were swimming and two managed to swim to the side, but one had a broken arm and was rescued by the fire service."

Marvin Smith, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service's national resilience flood rescue tactical advisor, said: "It is only pure luck that no one lost their life today. This incident could so easily have ended in tragedy.

"The heavy recent rain has swollen river levels and rapidly increased the speed of the water, making it impossible to safely swim, even in rivers people are familiar with.

"Even if water looks calm it may not be under the surface, and cold water shock is the cause of many of the deaths we sadly see each year in rivers and lakes."

The news comes amid weather warnings for thunderstorms across Sussex, as well as a flood warning in place for those living near the River Uck.

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