Camber Sands Swimming Victim Is Identified

The man who died while swimming at Camber Sands on Sunday afternoon has been named as Gustavo Silva Da Cruz.

The 19-year-old Brazilian had been visiting family in Croydon, south London, and was one of three people who got into difficulty while swimming at the East Sussex beach.

The other two people - a 35-year-old man and his 17-year-old son from London - were not connected to Mr Da Cruz.

They are at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford in a critical but stable condition.

The RNLI was involved alongside the coastguard in the search for the men but a spokesman said they were stood down shortly after 4pm.

Inspector Mark Evans, of Sussex Police, said: "It seems this has been three people who have got into trouble while swimming with the changing tides and coastline."

Police dismissed reports the men had been stung by jellyfish.

In a statement the Coastguard said: "After an extensive search of the Camber Sands area and the surrounding sea, UK Coastguard has called off the search for a missing swimmer who was seen struggling in the water earlier today."

Emma Watson was on the beach with her family, including her three young children, and saw the rescue.

The 35-year-old care assistant, who is from Banstead in Surrey, said she saw people receiving first aid.

She said: "It was absolutely horrific. The kids are now absolutely traumatised."

Ms Watson described conditions on the beach as very windy, adding: "The tide was coming in rapidly, very quick. The current was very strong, it was very windy."