Man Dies Trying to Rescue Woman in Sea off Brighton Beach
A 51-year-old man from Kettering, Northamptonshire, died after attempting to rescue a woman struggling to swim off Brighton beach on New Year’s Day. The man was recovered from the water to the west of Brighton Palace Pier, brought ashore, and pronounced dead. His next of kin were informed and the coroner notified. Sussex police, who were alerted at 10:35 a.m. on Thursday, stated that the death is not considered suspicious.
This incident follows the disappearance of two men—Matthew Upham, 63, and another man in his 40s—during a Christmas Day swim in Budleigh Salterton, Devon. They went missing after entering the water to help a woman in difficulty.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) issues safety guidance cautioning about the risks of cold-water shock and adverse weather conditions when entering water at or below 15°C. UK sea temperatures commonly range between 6°C and 10°C, with winter dips increasing danger. RNLI official Gareth Morrison urges swimmers to check sea conditions, understand their personal limits, and consult a GP for first-timers or those with health issues before open-water swimming.
