A man has died after a medical incident on the beach in Hastings, east Sussex amid a record-breaking heatwave across England.
Emergency services responded to the emergency Sunday morning on the beach near Warrior Square, St Leonards, following concerns for a man’s welfare, Sussex police said.
The man was declared dead at the scene and there were no suspicious circumstances, the force added.
Eight areas of England met heatwave conditions on Sunday amid a spell of unusually high May temperatures.
The heatwave threshold, which is consecutive days of 26 or 27C heat, was met at Kew Gardens, Heathrow and Northolt in London, Benson in Oxfordshire, Brooms Barn and Santan Downham in Suffolk, and High Breech and Writtle in Essex.
Families flocked to beaches around the country over the weekend to enjoy the sunshine. A high of 32.3C was recorded at Kew Gardens on Sunday, making it the hottest day of the year so far.
Sunday was also the UK’s warmest May day for at least 79 years.
New national May temperature records are expected to be set again on bank holiday Monday. Currently 32.8C is the highest record for May, set in 1944.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued its first amber health alert of 2026 on Friday, warning that there is a risk of a significant impact across health and social care services. The alert will remain in place until Wednesday.
A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “Emergency services responded to a medical incident on the beach near Warrior Square, St Leonards, following concerns for a man’s welfare.
“Officers assisted with the emergency response after the incident was reported at 11am on 24 May. Sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, the man was declared deceased at the scene.
“His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. There were no suspicious circumstances and a report will be prepared for HM Coroner.”
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