THE Prime Minister has warned of the dangers of open water swimming after the deaths of a mother, father and their teenage daughter who got into difficulty off Sussex.

Andy Burnham said the government can “always” do more on water safety after the incident in Shoreham-by-Sea on Tuesday. 

The man was named as Palestinian refugee Hossam al-Khawas by the Palestinian embassy, and a second younger daughter remains in critical condition in hospital.

Mr Burnham said: “The coldness, even when it feels hot outside, it can shock people and that can cause the difficulties. 

“So people just need to remember that at all times.”

He said the incident was “a real terrible family tragedy” and sent “best wishes and love to wider friends and family.”

Police believe the family entered the water to go for a swim. 

A huge emergency service response was launched, with air ambulances, an RNLI lifeboat and coastguard crews at the scene near Shoreham Fort.

East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tom Rutland said everybody in the area is “shocked and saddened” by the incident and stressed that everybody needs to understand the dangers of open water swimming.