Boy, 17, drowns in front of horrified classmates on school trip to beach

He is thought to have been among 50 pupils who set off on the coach trip to West Wittering.

A 17-year-old boy died on a school trip today after getting into trouble in water at a beauty spot in Sussex.

The teenager, believed to be from London, was pulled from the water in front of his horrified classmates during the outing to West Wittering.

He is thought to have been among 50 pupils who set off on the coach trip.

Emergency services were scrambled to the seaside after reports of a child in difficulty at around 1pm on Tuesday.

Other children, believed to be his classmates, were visibly distressed on the beach after he was airlifted to hospital.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: ‘Emergency services and HM Coastguard were called to concerns for a boy’s welfare in the sea off West Wittering beach at around 1pm on Tuesday, July 2.

‘A 17-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital, where he was sadly confirmed deceased.

‘His next of kin have been informed.

‘An investigation is underway to understand the full circumstances of the incident.’

Officers from the Met Police broke the news to his parents.

An ambulance spokesman confirmed the boy was flown direct to hospital by the Coast Guard.

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