A man who fell overboard from a yacht in the English Channel has been found dead. The incident occurred near the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, close to Newhaven in East Sussex.

Sussex Police were alerted by HM Coastguard at 11.40am on Sunday, following reports that a passenger had gone overboard from a catamaran. A search operation was promptly initiated by the coastguard.

A police spokesperson confirmed, "At 11.40am on Sunday, police were informed by HM Coastguard that a man had been reported as having fallen overboard from a vessel off the coast of Newhaven. A search led by the coastguard was carried out and a body was recovered from the sea."

The man has been identified, and his next-of-kin have been informed. The police expressed their condolences, stating, "Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. Enquiries are ongoing. No further details are available at this stage."

Earlier, a spokesperson for HM Coastguard reported that they received alerts about the incident at 10.19am. In response, RNLI lifeboats from Shoreham and Newhaven were dispatched to assist in the search. They were joined by an HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter, a Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft, and two nearby vessels.

The search operation highlights the swift response of emergency services in such tragic circumstances, although the outcome has been devastating for the family involved.