A 51-year-old man has tragically died after getting into difficulty during a traditional New Year's Day sea swim off the coast of Brighton.
Emergency Response at Brighton Beach
The incident occurred on the morning of January 1, 2026. Emergency services, including police, coastguard, and paramedics, were alerted at approximately 10:35 a.m. after reports of a swimmer in distress.
Responders located the man in the water to the west of the iconic Brighton Palace Pier. He was successfully recovered from the sea and brought to the shore, where paramedics immediately began efforts to resuscitate him.
Pronounced Dead at the Scene
Despite the swift and extensive medical attention provided on the beach, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. All attempts by medical professionals to revive him were unsuccessful.
Sussex Police have since confirmed the identity of the deceased. He was a 51-year-old man from Kettering, Northamptonshire. His next of kin have been informed by the authorities.
Death Not Treated as Suspicious
Police have stated that the death is not being treated as suspicious. No foul play is suspected, and the incident is being handled as a tragic accidental drowning during a festive swim.
The area was busy with visitors partaking in the popular holiday tradition. Bystanders reported seeing the swimmer in trouble before the emergency services arrived to conduct the recovery operation, which was witnessed by many on the beach.
No further details regarding the exact cause of the man's difficulties in the water have been released at this time. The investigation into the full circumstances continues.
