Jet ski rescuers rushed to save teenager who died after getting into difficulty at sea

Jet ski rescuers rushed to save a boy who died after getting into difficulty in the water at a scenic location.

The 17-year-old was on a school trip to West Wittering beach from Uxbridge College in London.

A spokesman for West Wittering Estate said the boy died despite the best efforts of rescuers and emergency services.

“We are deeply saddened to report that a 17-year-old boy drowned yesterday after getting into difficulty in the water.

“Rescuers deployed their equipment, including jet skis, to rush to the scene.

“Police and emergency services quickly attended along with members of Her Majesty's Coastguard, before the young man was airlifted to hospital where he sadly later died.

“His loved ones have been notified and our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time,” the spokesperson said.

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Other children, believed to be his classmates, were seen in visible distress on the beach after he was airlifted to hospital.

A passerby said: “I was at the beach around 1pm.

“Suddenly there were a lot of police and coastguards. I could see a lot of children and angry people, who had come from what appeared to be a school trip.

“It was absolutely horrible. The tide was low at the time.”

Photographs from the scene show dozens of emergency workers at the scene of the incident.

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

“A 17-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital where he was sadly pronounced dead. His next of kin have been informed.”

Detective Inspector Darren Taylor said: “This is an absolutely tragic incident and I would like to express my sincere condolences to the boy’s loved ones at this heartbreaking time.

“A police investigation, supported by the Health and Safety Executive, is underway to establish all the facts.

“We are asking anyone with information that could help us to contact us online or via 101, quoting Operation Redhill.”

The West Wittering Private Estate was created to preserve the natural environment for the public.