A 51-year-old man has died after encountering difficulties during a New Year's Day swim at a popular beach in Brighton.
Emergency Response at Brighton Palace Pier
Sussex Police were alerted at approximately 10.35am on Thursday, 1 January 2026, after a man was recovered from the sea. The incident occurred in the water to the west of the iconic Brighton Palace Pier. The man, who was from Kettering in Northamptonshire, was brought to shore where he received immediate medical attention. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
HM Coastguard had been notified earlier, at around 10.10am, of an incident involving a male swimmer in difficulty. In response, coastguard rescue teams from Shoreham and Newhaven were dispatched, alongside the Brighton RNLI inshore lifeboat.
A Tragic Start to the New Year
The man's next of kin have been informed, and the coroner has been notified. Sussex Police have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. This tragic event casts a shadow over the start of the new year for the coastal community.
A Stark Warning After Recent Coastal Tragedies
This incident follows a recent warning from Devon and Cornwall Police over the Christmas period, urging people to avoid coastal swimming. That warning was issued after two men, aged in their 40s and 60s, went missing in the water off a Devon beach on Christmas morning. The extensive search for those two individuals was called off on Christmas evening.
These consecutive tragedies highlight the inherent dangers of swimming in open water, especially during the winter months when cold water shock presents a significant risk. They serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of coastal safety and heeding official warnings.
