School describes 'sweet girl' who died alongside parents in sea off Sussex coast

The school of a 14-year-old who died after getting into difficulty in the sea has called her a "sweet girl" who will be "greatly missed".

Sara el Khawas died alongside her parents, Hassan el Khawas, 55, and Zeina Alayn, 37, on a trip to Shoreham, West Sussex, on Tuesday.

The family lived in west London, where Sara attended Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in Ealing.

"Sara was a sweet girl, well-liked by staff and students and she will be greatly missed," the school said.

"Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends, and all those affected. We are also thinking of her sister and loved ones at this extremely difficult time", the spokesperson added.

"This news will be deeply upsetting for many students, families and staff."

Paramedics, the coastguard, lifeboat, police and an air ambulance were all part of a major response at the scene, where the four were recovered from the water.

Four people were pulled from the water near Shoreham Fort and a young girl - also believed to be part of the family - remains in a critical condition.

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The Palestinian embassy confirmed Mr el Khawas was a Palestinian refugee from the Rashidieh Camp in Lebanon.

Sussex Police said initial witness statements and CCTV analysis suggested the deaths were an accident, with no one else involved.

Chief Superintendent James Collis, of Sussex Police, said: "The events of Tuesday afternoon are a heartbreaking tragedy which has devastated a family and their friends and had a profound impact on the Shoreham community."

It's unclear why the family got into trouble in the water but a resident claimed there is a riptide in that area.

"It's very inviting to come to the sea, but the tide could carry you out in seconds, and I don't think people have realised that," said Anna Peacock, 81, who lives across the water from Shoreham Fort.

It follows many similar incidents over the summer, including three sisters who died in Brighton in May and a 15-year-old and her mother who drowned at West Mersea, Essex, in July.

The RNLI has warned people to enter the water slowly and carefully.

The sea can be much colder than the air temperature and the shock of sudden immersion can cause an involuntary panic reaction that makes it hard to swim.

(c) Sky News 2026: School describes 'sweet girl' who died alongside parents in sea off Sussex coast