The heatwave claimed another life today when a swimmer drowned while taking a cooling dip in the sea.
Paramedics and police were called to Norman's Bay in Pevensey, East Sussex, shortly before lunchtime after a body was spotted floating in the water just off the beach.
Rescuers who rushed to the scene managed to pull the victim onto the beach and attempted heart massage .
Sadly the person was certified dead at the scene.
Their body was taken by ambulance to the mortuary at the Conquest Hospital in nearby Hastings where a post mortem examination will be carried out to ascertain the exact cause of death.
An inquest will be opened and adjourned later next week.
No details of the victim or how they came to be in the sea have yet been released.
On Tuesday three people lost their lives while swimming in London waters alone.
A day after they were reported missing bodies were found in Shadwell Basin, Queens Promenade and in the river near Waterloo Bridge.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety, Paul Trew, told the Evening Standard : "This is the single worst day for drowning incidents the Brigade has attended in my 25 year career.
“Going into the water might seem like a good idea in the hot weather but it is incredibly dangerous as the water is a lot colder than you’d expect.
“Cold water can cause your body to go into shock no matter how fit you are, causing panic, anxiety, disorientation and loss of muscular control.
"These reactions can also cause you to gasp for air resulting in water being inhaled.”
