Image source, PA Media

Locals in Shoreham continue to react to the news that three people died on the coastline yesterday. Here's what they've had to say:

• Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham Tom Rutland calls it a "very sad morning" and says he is hoping a young girl - who remains critically ill in hospital - recovers
• Meanwhile, Adur District Council leader Jeremy Gardner praises the RNLI and other emergency services. He says: "Without their determination and dedication, this incident could have been even worse"
• Tuesday's incident "sent shockwaves across the local community", says the Shoreham Beach Residents' Association
• Locals Liz Donnelly and Lee Smith agree that the events have been a "real shock to such a small town"
• The Good Shepherd Church, located near the beach in Shoreham-on-Sea, will be open all day, and its associate vicar says: "It's a morning of shock and sadness" as his church looks to support the community

Local councillor Joss Loader has paid tribute to emergency crews and volunteers following Tuesday's "tragic" incident.

Loader, who is chairwoman of the Shoreham Beach Residents' Association, says her thoughts and prayers are with the family and fiends of those that have died and "the young girl undergoing hospital treatment".

"We would like to pay special tribute to the emergency services and volunteers - who work tirelessly and play such a vital role locally," she writes on Facebook, adding that the emergency response was "phenomenal".

While Sussex Yacht Club says its thoughts are with the family and friends facing "an unimaginable loss" following the "heart-breaking" incident.

"We are also thinking of the young girl who remains in hospital receiving medical care. We hope for her recovery and send our heartfelt support to her, her family and everyone close to her during this incredibly difficult time," it adds.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has warned people about the dangers of open water swimming after three people from the same family died after getting into difficulty in the water at Shoreham-by-Sea.

He also sends his "best wishes and love" to the family and friends of those who died and the girl who remains in critical condition.

Asked if the government could do more to tackle water safety, Burnham said: "Always. It's so, so sad to hear what happened yesterday, and obviously we think there’s a young girl still in the hospital fighting for her life, and we send our best wishes and love to wider friends and family. But a real tragedy, a real terrible family tragedy."

Burnham says that "there's more that can be done" and that the government will "look in detail at what happened".

He adds that there may be another heatwave this summer and reminds people about the “dangers of open water swimming".

"The coldness, even when it feels hot outside, it can shock people, and that can cause difficulties. So, people just need to remember that at all times," he adds.

He also praises the emergency services, adding: "They’ve had a busy summer, but they were there, and we thank them. As I say, just huge sympathy to the friends and the family."

George Carden
in Shoreham

This incident is something that everybody who you walk past is speaking about, it’s something that’s really shaken the community down here.

I’m just over by Shoreham Fort now, near the bouquets of flowers that have been left by members of the public.

There are people still turning up, despite the wet, continuously drizzly weather down here this morning.

It’s all quite quiet today in terms of emergency services, although a few officers have been here talking to the RNLI.

It’s a stark contrast to last night, when dozens of officers were here – at one point there were about seven ambulances and two air ambulances, as well as the coastguard.

One eyewitness described it as one of the biggest emergency services responses they had seen in a long time.

A real tragedy down here and a sombre mood for all those visiting the seafront this morning.

Local reverend Jane Bartlett says the church intends to "be here for the local community" and support it in "whatever way we can".

"I'm very, very shocked and saddened," says Bartlett, who is an associate vicar at the Good Shepherd church on Shoreham beach.

She tells BBC Radio Sussex that local churches will be open today "for anyone who wants to go in and have a quiet moment [or] light a candle".

Bartlett adds that the church is also trying - "as best we can" - to make people available to act "as a listening ear" if anyone would like to talk.

Shoreham-on-Sea is a town mourning the loss of three people from the same family who died after getting into difficulty at sea on Tuesday.

The mood at Kingston beach was sombre this morning as locals react to the tragedy, which has also left a fourth person, a girl, in critical condition.

An episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Need to Know has the overview of what we know so far.

Everyone connected to Shoreham Port is "deeply saddened by the tragic events" which saw three people from the same family lose their lives on Tuesday, it says.

The port also says its “thoughts are with the young girl being treated in hospital".

Paying tribute to the emergency services for their response, the port is "continuing to support the ongoing investigation in whatever way we can", it adds.

Helicopter footage above Shoreham Harbour shows the size of the emergency response as the incident unfolded.

The Shoreham-by-Sea community is reeling from the news that three people have died at sea following an incident on Tuesday, which has left a fourth person critically injured.

Information is still coming in, but here's a look at what we know so far:

• Sussex Police has confirmed that three members of the same family have died after getting into difficulty in the water at Kingston Beach, a short distance from Shoreham Fort
• A younger girl, also from the same family, has been taken to hospital and is in a critical condition
• HM Coastguard have completed an extensive search of the water, and Sussex Police is not searching for anyone else
• A section of the A259 which runs through Brighton, Shoreham and Worthing was closed last night and has since reopened

The exact circumstances are yet to be ascertained, though Sussex Police believes that all four entered the water from the land to swim.

While the younger girl has been taken to hospital in critical condition, there is no further information at this stage about her condition.

We will continue to keep you updated throughout the day.

The associate vicar of The Good Shepherd church, near the beach in Shoreham-by-Sea, says that the priority is "looking at what we can do to support the community at this time".

The church will be open all day alongside the St Mary de Haura church in the town centre as a place of contemplation.

Rev Jane Bartlett tells BBC Radio Sussex: "As a community, as a church, we're all holding everyone involved in this in prayer.

"It's a morning of shock and of sadness."

Shoreham RNLI has announced that its lifeboat station will remain closed to visitors for all of Wednesday.

Its shop will also be closed for the day due to "unforeseen circumstances".

The station remains operational in an emergency.

Adur District Council leader Jeremy Gardener says the deaths of the three people are a "dreadful thing".

He adds: "Our thoughts must be with their family and friends and for the wellbeing of the teenager in hospital.

"We must also acknowledge the work of our emergency services here, and thanks goes to all those in the RNLI, paramedics, ambulance service, police, HM Coastguard and others who gave support in this incident.

"Without their determination and dedication, this incident could have been even worse."

The mood in Shoreham-by-Sea is sombre as locals share their shock after three members of the same family died after getting into difficulty in the sea.

With a girl from the same family still in a critical condition in hospital, it is proving a difficult day for the town.

Floral tributes have been laid in memory of the deceased.

Image source, Eddie Mitchell

Image source, Eddie Mitchell

Image source, Eddie Mitchell

The managers of the Crown & Anchor pub in Shoreham-by-Sea say that they feared the worst when the scale of emergency became clear on Tuesday.

Fiona Stephens and Jen Ashworth were both in the flat above the pub when the incident began to unfold.

"We kept saying to each other, 'something really bad has happened'. You could hear the helicopters, the sirens, it was awful," Stephens tells BBC Radio Sussex, external.

Ashworth says what has happened "puts things into perspective".

"It's an absolute tragedy for their family, it's horrendous," she says.

Stephens adds: "I really don't think there's any words."

Image source, Lucinda Adam/BBC

Ashley Jones, head of water safety and education at the Royal Life Saving Society, tells Radio 4's Today Programme: "It's important to give our condolences to all of those who have lost friends and family.

"We want to see drowning treated as the public health issue it is. At the moment, it is too often seen as a tragic accident.

"It is a preventable issue."

Image source, George Carden/BBC

Friends Liz Donnelly and Lee Smith, both from Shoreham-by-Sea, are among those to lay flowers this morning.

Donnelly says: "It's quite emotional. It's just a real shock to such a small town."

The pair say their children both regularly use Kingston Beach, something which puts the tragedy into even greater perspective.

Smith adds: "Our kids were here, the night before they were here. It makes you realise how thankful we are that it wasn't one of them.

“But at the same time, the sadness of another family that are now going to go through this."

The Shoreham Beach Residents' Association says its thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the three people who died on Tuesday, as well as the girl currently in critical condition.

Paying tribute to the emergency services, the association says the response was “phenomenal” and “sent shockwaves across the local community".

"We are indebted to Shoreham RNLI, HM Coastguard, Sussex Police, the South East Coast Ambulance Service and the Air Ambulance Service Kent Surrey Sussex," they add.

Image source, Eddie Mitchell

More now from local MP Tom Rutland, who praised the emergency services for their "incredible" response to the events on Tuesday afternoon.

He says: "The police, ambulance service, air ambulance, RNLI, the coastguard - it was an incredible effort.

"The police briefed me in the afternoon what had happened and I have been able to thank them and the RNLI.

"I've spoken to the Maritime Minister, and the government will be reaching out to offer support where it can."

Local parish church The Good Shepherd, near the beach in Shoreham-by-Sea, says that it will be open all day for anyone "saddened by the tragic news".

It adds that it will be a "quiet place" to reflect and send prayers for the deceased and the recovery of the surviving young girl.

"We give thanks for the heroic work of our emergency services,” it adds.

George Carden
in Shoreham

Despite the events of yesterday, some people are swimming in the sea this morning.

This section of the coast is quite popular with sea swimmers and is quite protected from the sea.

But as you go further out, the River Adur meets you and the open sea.

Yesterday, it was fairly rough conditions compared to what we have seen recently.

Lucinda Adam
in Shoreham

Tom Rutland, Labour MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, has described it as a "very sad morning" and says his thoughts are with friends and family of those who died.

"We are all hoping for the recovery of the young girl who is in hospital." he adds.