A MAN pulled from the sea by a courageous member of the coastguard has died.

Emergency teams were scrambled to Cuckmere Haven after a 999 call at 1.10pm yesterday alerted them to two people in the sea near the beauty spot.

One person made their own way back to shore, but the other was pulled from the water by a crew member who swam through the waves to reach him.

The man was airlifted to hospital where it was confirmed that he had died.

Sussex Police said his death was not being treated as suspicious and had been referred to the Coroner's Officer.

The Argus:

The coastguard helicopter rushed to the scene yesterday along with rescue teams from Newhaven and Birling Gap, as well as a crew from Newhaven Lifeboat.

Despite wind, rain and waves battering the Sussex coast, one member of the coastguard crew entered the water.

Yesterday, a Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokeswoman said: "A person has been recovered from the sea at Cuckmere Haven by a coastguard swimmer.

"The coastguard received a 999 call at 1.10 pm this afternoon to report that two people had been in the water.

"One had self-recovered. The second was still at sea.

"The Newhaven and Birling Gap Coastguard Rescue Teams, Newhaven Lifeboat, a senior coastguard operations officer and a coastguard helicopter all went to the scene."