Body found washed up on beach after search for missing person in water off Brighton Palace Pier

The coastguard helicopter was launched on Wednesday at Brighton Palace Pier. Credit: ITV News

A body has been found washed up on a beach following a search operation off Brighton Palace Pier during the heavy winds of Storm Noa.

The body is the second to be discovered in the water in two days in the city.

A major air and sea rescue operation was launched on Wednesday at 4pm on Wednesday (12 April) following reports of a person in the water near Brighton Palace Pier.

The search involved Coastguard helicopters and RNLI lifeboats. It was suspended overnight after six hours, but operations restarted on Thursday morning, April 13.

Sussex Police confirmed a body has been found at 8.15am on Thursday.

Police say the body was found at 8:15am on Thursday 13 April. Credit: ITV Meridian

It comes after a woman also died after being spotted in the water off Brighton beach on Tuesday.

Wednesday's search came as Storm Noa caused havoc across England and Wales, with 75mph gusts of wind leaving hundreds of properties without power, trees down and causing travel delays.

A Coastguard spokeswoman said: "Shortly after 4pm (on Wednesday), HM Coastguard received reports of a person in the water at Doughnut Groyne close to Brighton Pier.

"An extensive search of the area took place throughout the evening until 9pm in challenging conditions.

"The Newhaven, Littlehampton and Shoreham Coastguard rescue teams, alongside Shoreham and Newhaven RNLI all-weather lifeboats, Sussex Police and the Coastguard helicopters from Lee-On-Solent and Lydd were sent to assist.

"Further searches have been conducted from 6am (on Thursday), in more favourable weather conditions. The search ended around 8am."

RNLI lifeboats were launched on Wednesday afternoon after a report of a person in the sea. Credit: ITV Meridian

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "An investigation into the circumstances is ongoing and further updates will be provided in due course."

Describing the previous incident, the force spokesman said: "Emergency services conducted a search off Brighton beach shortly after 4pm on Tuesday April 11.

"Sadly, the body of a woman was found. Her next of kin have been informed.

"Her death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for HM coroner."

Elsewhere during Wednesday's storm, in Fareham, Hampshire, a woman was badly hurt when scaffolding fell on to a main shopping street.

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