Boy, 17, on school trip drowns in sea after getting into trouble in water at beauty spot beach

07/02/2024 06:31 PM

A BOY has drowned on a school trip after getting into trouble on the Sussex Coast.

The boy, 17, believed to be from London, was pulled from the water at a beauty spot popular with celebrities.

It is believed he was one of around 50 pupils on a coach trip to West Wittering on Tuesday morning.

Emergency services scrambled after reports of a child in difficulty at around 1pm on Tuesday.

Other children, believed to be his classmates, were visibly distressed on the beach after he was airlifted to hospital.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Emergency services and HM Coastguard were called to concerns for a boy's welfare in the sea off West Wittering beach at around 1pm on Tuesday, July 2.

“A 17-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital, where he was sadly confirmed deceased.

“His next of kin have been informed.

“An investigation is underway to understand the full circumstances of the incident.”

Officers from the Met police broke the news to his parents on Tuesday afternoon.

An ambulance spokesman confirmed the boy was flown direct to hospital by the Coast Guard.

The rolling sand dunes and wide beaches at West Wittering are popular all year round.