Tribute to police officer who died after '˜tragic accident' at sea

The British Transport Police officer died in hospital after the sea rescue in the early hours of Monday morning.

His family said: “It is with deep regret that we as a family were informed that our beloved son Steven Williams died following a tragic accident at Brighton in the early hours of Monday morning.

“Steven will be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleague and always loved.

Huge sea search at Brighton with 50 members of the emergency services, from the RNLI, Shoreham and Newhaven Coastguard, Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue, and the Armbulance service (Photograph: Eddie Mitchell) SUS-170130-072636001

“We would ask for privacy at this difficult time.”

More than 50 members of the emergency services were called out to the seafront at the Kings Road Arches at 11.40pm, from the RNLI, Shoreham and Newhaven Coastguard, Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue, and the ambulance service.

Crews on the ground worked alongside those on the RNLI lifeboat and coastguard helicopter to search for a man in rough seas. The man was pulled from the sea near the Palace Pier, but later died in hospital.

A fundraising page for the RNLI has been set up in PC Williams’ memory here.