Man in His 30s Dies After Incident at Saltdean as Coastguard, Helicopter and Brighton RNLI Respond

NewsBrighton NewsBrighton and HoveCrime
Written By Tim Graichi Cucarella
White chalk cliffs rising above the beach at Saltdean under a clear blue sky

The chalk cliffs at Saltdean (Photo: Paul Farmer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

A man in his 30s has died following an incident at Saltdean on the afternoon of Thursday 15 October 2026. HM Coastguard, the Brighton RNLI lifeboat, South East Coast Ambulance Service and Sussex Police all attended, and a coastguard helicopter was sent to the scene.

Sussex Police said the man was treated at the scene but died, that he has been identified, and that his death is not being treated as suspicious. Brighton and Hove News reports that he fell from the cliff top, and that a report is being prepared for the coroner. His name has not been released.

White chalk cliffs rising above the beach at Saltdean under a clear blue sky
The chalk cliffs at Saltdean (Photo: Paul Farmer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
15 October
Thursday afternoon
About 3.55pm
when HM Coastguard was alerted
A man in his 30s
identified by police
Not suspicious
according to Sussex Police

Sources: Sussex News, 17 October 2026, Sussex Express, 16 October 2026 and Brighton and Hove News, 18 October 2026

Who responded

Sussex News reports that HM Coastguard was alerted at around 3.55pm. The Sussex Express says police received a report at 4.14pm and that a photograph sent to the paper at about 5.30pm showed police vehicles and ambulances at the scene. The services listed in the reports are below.

HM Coastguard helicopter
Sent alongside the ground teams.
Coastguard Rescue Teams
Teams from Newhaven, Birling Gap and Shoreham were deployed.
Brighton RNLI lifeboat
The lifeboat attended the incident.
South East Coast Ambulance Service
Ambulance crews attended.
Sussex Police
Officers attended and later confirmed the death was not suspicious.
An HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter hovering over a vessel at sea
File photo: an HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter at work, not from this incident (Photo: Ronnie Robertson, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

We reported on changes to the charity’s lifeboat fleet along the south coast in RNLI Fleet Changes: What the New Coastal Lifeboat Means for Eastbourne and Hastings.

Brighton lifeboat station building on a sunny day
Brighton Lifeboat Station (Photo: Paul Gillett, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The video report

Sussex News published a short video report on the response, which includes footage from the scene.

Video: Sussex News
Watch the Sussex News video on FacebookSussex News video report on the incident at Saltdean

How the story developed

Thu 15 October, about 3.55pm
HM Coastguard is alerted to an incident at Saltdean, according to Sussex News.
Thu 15 October, 4.14pm
Police receive a report, according to the Sussex Express.
Fri 16 October
Sussex Police say the man was treated at the scene but died, and that his death is not being treated as suspicious.
Sat 17 October
Sussex News publishes its report on the response, including the coastguard, RNLI and ambulance crews.
Sun 18 October
Brighton and Hove News reports that the man fell from the cliff top and that a report is being prepared for the coroner.
View along the beach and undercliff at Saltdean with the cliffs and promenade beneath a stormy sky
Saltdean beach and the undercliff (Photo: Paul Gillett, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Earlier this month, on 12 October, we reported on a man who died on Rottingdean beach, where police were making enquiries.

If you need support

If this story has affected you, or you are struggling, Samaritans are there to listen at any time.

Call Samaritans free on 116 123Open day or night, every day of the year. Tap to call. Visit samaritans.orgSupport and information online from Samaritans

More local stories are under Brighton and Hove and News on ImJustBrighton.

Read more from ImJustBrighton

Man Dies on Rottingdean Beach: Police Enquiries

RNLI Fleet Changes: What the New Coastal Lifeboat Means for Eastbourne and Hastings

Brighton and Hove Boundary Expansion: Peacehaven, Telscombe and Saltdean

Tim Graichi Cucarella

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