A TEENAGER drowned after plunging off a wall at Brighton Marina during a late-night fishing trip.

The 17-year-old fell 25ft into the sea after slipping on the western arm of the marina on Saturday night. The terrified youth struggled in the freezing water, shouting that he could not swim. A friend, thought to be about the same age, raised the alarm. Brighton inshore lifeboat arrived within minutes and found the victim face down in the water. Lifeboatmen plucked the youth out of the water and took him to a nearby jetty where they gave him heart massage and the kiss-of-life until an ambulance arrived. The teenager was then ferried to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, where further attempts to revive him failed. Police have not yet named the victim, who is from the Brighton area. Insp Mark Piper, of Sussex Police, said: "This is a tragic accident and we are very sad for the family."

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