Young person rescued from sea at St Leonards

Emergency services swiftly responded to the incident

Photo is for illustrative purposes only
Author: Grace McGachyPublished 12th May 2026

A young person has been rescued from the sea at St Leonards following a significant response from emergency services.

HM Coastguard volunteers based in Bexhill were called to reports of a person in difficulty late on Monday afternoon (11 May), prompting assistance from Sussex Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Rescue teams from Hastings and Rye Bay also joined the effort.

The casualty was safely brought out of the water and received immediate medical treatment from ambulance crews at the scene.

Concerns arose when reports of a missing young person surfaced during the incident. However, it was soon confirmed that these referred to the same rescued individual, allowing all parties involved to conclude their search efforts.

Authorities remind the public that even in warmer weather, the sea remains dangerously cold, and cold water shock can occur rapidly.

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