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No chance of finding missing Brighton men alive in sea - coastguard No chance of finding missing Brighton men alive in sea - coastguard
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Two men in their 20s who are missing at sea feared dead are believed to have got into difficulty after one tried to rescue the other.Two men in their 20s who are missing at sea feared dead are believed to have got into difficulty after one tried to rescue the other.
The search for the men off the coast of Brighton turned into a recovery mission on Saturday morning, with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency saying there was “no chance of finding them alive” after an overnight operation by rescue crews in severe weather.The search for the men off the coast of Brighton turned into a recovery mission on Saturday morning, with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency saying there was “no chance of finding them alive” after an overnight operation by rescue crews in severe weather.
Sussex police said three of four men who were on the beach are believed to have entered the water, and two of them, aged 23 and 24, from Brighton, were swept out to sea. A 26-year-old man from Brighton and a 23-year-old man from London raised the alarm shortly after 1am, police said.Sussex police said three of four men who were on the beach are believed to have entered the water, and two of them, aged 23 and 24, from Brighton, were swept out to sea. A 26-year-old man from Brighton and a 23-year-old man from London raised the alarm shortly after 1am, police said.
The Coastguard coordinated the search throughout the night with two all-weather lifeboats, a rescue helicopter and two shoreline rescue teams from Shoreham and Newhaven.The Coastguard coordinated the search throughout the night with two all-weather lifeboats, a rescue helicopter and two shoreline rescue teams from Shoreham and Newhaven.
The search for the men, who were believed to have been on a night out in the town before entering the choppy water, was stood down at about 4.30am.The search for the men, who were believed to have been on a night out in the town before entering the choppy water, was stood down at about 4.30am.
Volunteer lifeboat crews resumed searches close to the shoreline at first light, although the helicopter crews returned to base having “exhausted all possible options”, the coastguard said.Volunteer lifeboat crews resumed searches close to the shoreline at first light, although the helicopter crews returned to base having “exhausted all possible options”, the coastguard said.
“The conditions for searching overnight were awful – it was pitch black and the sea was extremely choppy. It was very difficult to search,” a spokesman said.“The conditions for searching overnight were awful – it was pitch black and the sea was extremely choppy. It was very difficult to search,” a spokesman said.
“This has turned into a recovery mission. Very sadly there is no chance of finding them alive. The coastguard remains on site but the searches will mostly be in and around the shoreline.”“This has turned into a recovery mission. Very sadly there is no chance of finding them alive. The coastguard remains on site but the searches will mostly be in and around the shoreline.”
Det Ch Insp Carwyn Hughes, from Sussex police, said: “This is a tragic incident and we are liaising closely with the men’s families.Det Ch Insp Carwyn Hughes, from Sussex police, said: “This is a tragic incident and we are liaising closely with the men’s families.
“Every effort was made to find and rescue the two men in treacherous sea conditions during the night. Sadly, the search is now focused on recovery rather than rescue.”“Every effort was made to find and rescue the two men in treacherous sea conditions during the night. Sadly, the search is now focused on recovery rather than rescue.”
He said the Coastguard restarted the search west of the Palace Pier on Saturday morning with the support of Sussex police specialist search officers, Sussex Search and Rescue volunteers and dog teams.He said the Coastguard restarted the search west of the Palace Pier on Saturday morning with the support of Sussex police specialist search officers, Sussex Search and Rescue volunteers and dog teams.
“The Brighton seafront officers have been maintaining searches of the beach throughout the night and will continue to do so. Unfortunately, the weather conditions preclude the use of aerial sweeps by the National Police Air Support Service.“The Brighton seafront officers have been maintaining searches of the beach throughout the night and will continue to do so. Unfortunately, the weather conditions preclude the use of aerial sweeps by the National Police Air Support Service.
“This is a very sad situation and with the sea condition as it is I would urge people, for their safety, to refrain from entering the sea.”“This is a very sad situation and with the sea condition as it is I would urge people, for their safety, to refrain from entering the sea.”
Emergency services were also called after an 18-year-old man was seen entering the sea in Brighton shortly before 9am.Emergency services were also called after an 18-year-old man was seen entering the sea in Brighton shortly before 9am.
The man, who had taken his top and shoes off before running into the water just east of the pier, was helped from the sea by one of three friends who were with him.The man, who had taken his top and shoes off before running into the water just east of the pier, was helped from the sea by one of three friends who were with him.
He was checked on the beach by police and medical staff and taken to the Royal Sussex County hospital by ambulance.He was checked on the beach by police and medical staff and taken to the Royal Sussex County hospital by ambulance.