17-year-old student dies in ‘tragic accident’ during school trip to West Wittering

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The death of a 17-year-old student who got into distress at sea during a school trip in West Sussex has been described as a “tragic accident” by his college principal.

Emergency services received a distress call at around 1pm on Tuesday reporting concerns for the teenager’s welfare in the water at a beach in West Wittering, near Chichester.

The boy was part of a group from Uxbridge College in west London who were visiting the area to celebrate the end of term.

A spokesman for the university said the student was in distress at sea and “tragically it was not possible to rescue him.”

He was flown by helicopter to hospital where he was pronounced dead and his family has been informed, Sussex Police said.

Dylan McTaggart, Principal of Uxbridge College, said: “This was a tragic accident that has had a huge impact on everyone here. Our priority now is to care for everyone affected.”

“We have enlisted the help of qualified advisors and will ensure that our community has personnel and professional support available in the coming days and weeks.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and we ask that you respect their privacy as they mourn the loss of a child.”

Detective Inspector Darren Taylor of Sussex Police said officers, with support from the Occupational Safety and Health Authority, were investigating the incident to establish the full facts.

“This was an absolutely tragic incident and I would like to express my sincere condolences to the boy’s family at this heartbreaking time,” he said.

“We ask anyone with helpful information to contact us online or on 101 quoting Operation Redhill.”

A spokeswoman for West Wittering Estate said emergency services and police were quickly on the scene before the boy was taken to hospital.

“We are deeply saddened to report that a 17-year-old boy drowned yesterday after getting into distress in the water,” she said.

“Lifeguards deployed their equipment, including jet skis, to rush to the scene of the accident. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.”