Heartbreaking Tribute to "Sweet Girl" Lost in Shoreham Sea Tragedy

A wave of sorrow has swept through a London community as a local school paid a heartfelt tribute to a "sweet girl" who tragically lost her life alongside her parents in a sea incident in Shoreham-by-Sea. Fourteen-year-old Sara El-Khawas, a Year 8 student at Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls, died with her father, Hassan El-Khawas, 55, and mother, Zeina Alayn, 37, on Tuesday afternoon.

The family, believed to have traveled from their home in London for a summer holiday visit to Shoreham, got into difficulty after entering the water from the beach near Shoreham Fort around 2pm. Police, paramedics, coastguard crews, and a lifeboat were quickly on the scene, where all four family members were recovered from the water. Tragically, Sara and her parents could not be saved. A younger girl from the same family is currently in hospital in critical condition.

Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls, located in the London borough of Ealing, shared a poignant message on its website on Thursday, remembering Sara. "Sara was a sweet girl, well-liked by staff and students and she will be greatly missed," the school stated. "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends, and all those affected. This news will be deeply upsetting for many students, families and staff."

The incident has prompted an ongoing investigation by Sussex Police. Meanwhile, floral tributes have begun to appear at Shoreham-by-Sea, as communities in both London and West Sussex grapple with the profound loss of this family. The outpouring of grief highlights the impact Sara and her parents had on those around them, and the tragic circumstances serve as a somber reminder of the dangers of the sea.

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