THREE men have died after being pulled unconscious from the sea as dozens of bathers watched on in horror.
Two rescue helicopters were scrambled to help the swimmers, who were given CPR treatment on the packed beach. Paramedics gave emergency treatment to the casualties on the sand, but they could not revive the swimmers.
Families were left in floods of tears by the tragedy, according to one witness.
The student, from south east London, said his family were looking forward to a lovely afternoon at the beach, not to be surrounded by tragedy.
The 19-year-old, who asked not to be named, said: "We were all looking forwards to a nice day out. "While the people were doing CPR on the first two people, another person had to be pulled out of the sea.
"One of the first lot was put into a vehicle and driven away, but they used windbreakers to surround the other two people.