Police identify second victim of Hastings sea tragedy

Two men – aged 38 and 34 – died at Conquest Hospital after getting into difficulty in the water at around 11.20am on Thursday, October 8.

The 38-year-old was named as Chris Baguley, an executive chef and operations manager from Hastings.

On Wednesday (October 28), Sussex Police identified the second victim as being 34-year-old Jack Beeches, from Lewisham, London.

The two men were pulled from the water and received treatment from emergency services at the scene before being taken to the Conquest Hospital, police said.

Both men died at the hospital later that day. Emergency services at the scene were joined by the air ambulance service.

On October 15, tributes were paid to Mr Baguley, who had been working as the executive chef and operations manager at the popular country pub The Plough and its joint restaurant business The Union, in Rye.

Rajh Siva, director of the group, said Chris ‘played a vital role in not only the running of the business but also it’s growth’.

He added: “From the day he joined the business he was a key driving force and its success now is largely due to his skill, knowledge and expertise in the industry.

“He was a leader, a mentor and, most of all, a caring friend to all he worked alongside. Many of his team credit their skillset and ability to his training and devotion to their development, which was second to none.

“He will forever be greatly missed and the mark he left will continue with us as we try to adjust to a life without our very loved friend, who we had the privilege to work alongside.”