A person swept out to sea off a UK beach has sparked a desperate search and rescue operation.
The Coastguard were called to reports of a person in the water near Brighton Pier, with Sussex Police confirming searches have been ongoing since 3.50pm.
Footage and pictures from the scene shows a RNLI lifeboat battling rough seas as part of the search operation, with a helicopter also assisting.
A man standing on the groyne was also spotted desperately shouting and waving at people on the pier in an effort to attract attention with a life ring in his hand.
In a statement, they said: "Emergency services were called to a report of a person seen going into the water by Brighton Pier at about 3.50pm on Wednesday (April 12) in extremely rough sea conditions.
"Searches by the Shoreham and Newhaven RNLI lifeboats and the coastguard helicopter are currently ongoing along with coastguard teams and police on the shoreline.
"We have no further details currently."
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard’s Newhaven, Littlehampton and Shoreham Coastguard Rescue Teams, alongside Shoreham and Newhaven RNLI all-weather lifeboats, Sussex Police and the Coastguard helicopter from Lee-On-Solent are coordinating a search for a possible person in the water at Brighton Palace Pier, following concerns first raised to emergency services shortly before 4pm today (April 12).”
Witnesses at the scene spoke to The Argus, saying conditions were "horrendous".
Andre Hine said: "It was horrendous. It's a force ten gale, gale force winds. Good luck to the people in the lifeboats, they're doing an amazing job."
The Coastguard confirmed later on Wednesday evening the search had been suspended.
In a statement, they said: "An extensive search for a missing person believed to be in the water near Brighton Palace Pier has been suspended almost six hours after it began.
"Shortly after 4pm today (April 12) HM Coastguard received reports of a person in the water at Doughnut Groyne close to Brighton Pier.
"An extensive search of the area has taken place throughout the evening, involving 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.
"The search has been suspended."
Yesterday, a woman died after she was pulled from the water in the Brighton Marina area.
Coastguard crews from Brighton and Shoreham raced to save the woman, alongside police and ambulance crews.
A coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-the-Solent, in Hampshire, was also called to the incident.
An eye-witness at the scene told The Argus that emergency services performed CPR for “quite a long time” in a desperate attempt to save the woman's life.
It has since been confirmed the woman tragically passed away.
The search comes amid yellow weather warnings for wind were issued earlier this week by the Met Office from parts of the south.
Forecasters warned of gales up to 60mph, with large waves creating hazardous conditions near coastal areas.
