Shoreham - live: Coastguard choppers scrambled to major emergency in West Sussex

Shoreham - live: Coastguard choppers scrambled to major emergency in West Sussex Coastguard helicopters and ambulances have been sighted at the coastal town of Shoreham, West Sussex amid a major emergency service response A major incident is unfolding in Shoreham, with emergency services at the scene. Coastguard helicopters and ambulances have been sighted in the coastal town in West Sussex. The RNLI said lifeboat crews were launched from Shoreham at about 2.50pm on Tuesday afternoon. The exact nature of the incident remains unclear. Two other lifeboats were also launched from the Brighton lifeboat station shortly after 3pm. Key Events Sussex Police said: "Emergency services are currently responding to reports of four people in difficulty in the water close to Shoreham Fort. "A section of the A259 in Shoreham has been closed as the incident remains ongoing. We’re urging the public to stay clear of the area in the meantime. We will provide more information as soon as we are able to." A RNLI lifeboat was launched from Shoreham at 2.51pm although it is unclear what was the reason for this. Lifeboat records online show that there were launches also from Brighton at 3.08pm and 3.10pm today. An AA map shows that the A259 has been closed near the incident. At least seven South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) vehicles are on the scene at Kingston Beach off the A259. The AA alert states: "Road blocked and slow traffic due to emergency services incident on A259 Brighton Road both ways from New Road to Kingston Lane." A man has told how his daughter, who lives near the seafront in Shoreham, saw two helicopters landing at the port. He told The Argus that "a yellow helicopter landed by the lifeboat station" and it was followed by a red and white chopper. "There's loads of police, loads of ambulances, fire engines. A lot of sirens," he added. A massive emergency response is underway at Shoreham. There are multiple ambulances and police vehicles. While two air ambulances have landed by the port. A spokesperson from the RNLI says on its website that lifeboat crews were launched at about 2.50pm, though the exact nature of the incident remains unclear. Two other lifeboats were also launched from the Brighton lifeboat station shortly after 3pm.