Worthing beach: Jet ski rider dies after accident at sea

Witnesses and coastguards said the man got into trouble after becoming separated from his jet ski at Ferring beach yesterday evening shortly before 6pm.

The 26-year-old was taken to hospital but died shortly after.

Witness Tracy Thompson told of her shock at seeing the young man struggle to keep his head above water.

Emergency services at Littlehampton Harbour (Image: Supplied)

Tracy, a keen sea swimmer, said offshore wind, the fast current and water temperature could all have been factors.

The jet ski was pulled in to Littlehampton harbour by RNLI crews.

The rider was too far away from his jet ski to get back on board, according to Tracy.

"I didn’t see him come off it, just saw him in the water," she said.

"The current was strong and took the jet ski too far away from him.

"It was far, far away when I saw him and realised that he wouldn’t get to it or be able to swim to the shore.

"He was trying to keep above the water but kept disappearing.

"It was a very strong offshore wind which takes you away from the shore, so I knew he was not going to get back.

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"One of our group used his phone to call it in. Heartbreaking watching him while helpless on the shore.

"So sad, so young. He was only having fun.

"The sea can be so cruel, even with a wetsuit and life jacket it still wasn’t enough for him. Tragic."

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Emergency services responded to a report of a medical incident in the sea at Worthing beach, shortly before 6pm on Monday, May 29.

"A 26-year-old man was taken to hospital, where sadly he was later declared deceased.

"His next of kin have been informed."

RNLI crews going into Littlehampton Harbour (Image: Supplied)

It comes after a 70-year-old paddleboarder died after getting into trouble in the water off Worthing beach on Sunday.

Thousands flocked to the coast as temperatures peaked at 22C, making the bank holiday weekend the hottest of the year so far.

An RNLI spokeswoman said: "HM Coastguard, Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service and an air ambulance responded to reports of a man separated from his jet ski off Goring-by-Sea yesterday, 29 May.

"At around 6pm a Coastguard Recue Team from Littlehampton and a lifeboat from Littlehampton RNLI were sent to the scene."