A PADDLEBOARDER died after getting into trouble off a busy beach - the fifth tragic death in the water over the sunny Bank Holiday weekend.
Emergency services battled to save the 70-year-old man after bringing him ashore yesterday at Worthing in West Sussex.
Temperatures along the south coast hit 24C on the warmest day of the year so far as thousands flocked to beaches.
The RNLI lifeboat and an air ambulance were scrambled to the seafront at Worthing on Sunday evening.
Sussex Police said the paddleboarder was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering a medical incident in the water.
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A spokesman said: "Police supported HM Coastguard and the ambulance service at an incident on Worthing beach at around 5.40pm on Sunday, May 28.
“A man in his 70s was treated by the ambulance service after suffering a medical incident in the water.
“He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
“His next of kin have been informed.”
It came after at least four people died in the water across Britain over the sunny bank holiday weekend.
A swimmer died after losing consciousness in the water during the Swansea Triathlon - as horrified competitors looked on.
Emergency services and members of the public attempted to help the athlete, who passed out during the swimming phase of the one-day event in Swansea.
Around 1,500 people took part in the gruelling event on Sunday morning, which included a 750m swim, a 20km bike ride and a 5km run.
Two men also died after being pulled from the sea at Torbay, Devon.
The victims, both in their 20s, were rescued from the water in Oddicombe at around 9am on Saturday.
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One was declared dead at the scene and the other died after being taken to Torbay District Hospital.
A schoolboy also died after he and his friends got into difficulty while swimming in Cumbria's River Eden.
Lewis Michael Kirkpatrick, 15, from Carlisle, was found dead shortly after 1.30pm on Saturday.
Emergency services had received reports he and three other teenage boys had got into trouble in the River Eden on Friday evening.
A 14-year-old who was airlifted to hospital on Friday remains in a critical condition.
One of the group managed to swim to safety and another was rescued by a member of the public, police said.
Spectators at Wembley Stadium paid their respects in the 15th minute of the Sky Bet League Two play-off final between Carlisle United and Stockport County.
Carlisle United Football Club tweeted: "The crowd pay their respects on 15 minutes to Lewis Michael Kirkpatrick - thoughts with his family, loved ones and friends - tragic news."
