THREE women who were tragically found dead in the sea near Brighton beach could have been caught out by a hidden drop in the water.

Coastguard sources told The Sun they fear one of the women was “suddenly dragged into danger after misjudging the shingle shelf”.

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The bodies of three women were pulled from the water in Brighton on WednesdayCredit: Brighton Pictures
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It is thought the three women – believed to be aged between 20 and 30 – went for a paddle but misjudged a sharp drop in the water.

The pebbled beach around central Brighton and the Palace Pier is notorious for having the steep slopes, which can be incredibly dangerous for swimmers.

A Coastguard source told The Sun: “It’s feared at least one of the women went into the water for a paddle and was then suddenly dragged into danger after misjudging the shingle shelf.

“If you took one pace out thinking it’s flat you could go down two feet or more very quickly.

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Coastguard boats were spotted scouring the seaCredit: Eddie Mitchell
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Choppy waves at Brighton as cops are at the sceneCredit: Alamy
“That can turn things very dangerous very quickly.”

Officers scrambled to the seafront at around 5.45am yesterday to concerns for the welfare of a “single person” in the water

However upon arrival two more bodies were found in the sea nearby.

Today, cops confirmed they believe they know who the trio are and their next of kin had been informed.

Sussex Police said it won’t be naming the women until all formal procedures have been carried out.

Their loved ones are being supported by specialist officers, the force added.

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Emergency services launched a huge search operationCredit: PA
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It’s feared the trio may have got into trouble after going for a paddle in the waterCredit: Alamy
Chief Superintendent Adam Hays said: “This is an utterly heartbreaking tragedy, and my thoughts are with the loved ones of these three young women after their devastating loss.

“They will remain at the forefront of our minds as we search for the answers their families, and the wider public, desperately seek.

“This is a sensitive investigation that includes a number of hypotheses, and it would not be appropriate to speculate as we continue to gather evidence.

“I would once again ask for the public’s patience while we establish the full facts, which will be shared publicly as soon as we are able.

“Anyone with information that could help is asked to contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Ledmore.”

The incident prompted a huge search operation with coastguard boats scouring the water as helicopters flew overhead.

There were more than a dozen police officers, police vans and cars as well as HM Coastguard Search and Rescue officers and equipment at the scene.

The beach later reopened following an investigation that started at around 5.45am on Wednesday.

Sources told The Sun yesterday they believed the women were in their late teens or early 20s, and that they were dressed in “going-out clothes”.

There are a number of nightclubs and bars running along Brighton’s waterfront.

Two workers at a cafe on the beachfront near Quarters said that revellers from nearby clubs frequently spill out onto the beach after closing time in the early hours of morning.

One said: “When you’re walking to work at seven in the morning you see people still drinking on the beach.

“The club nights can get quite intense.”

One local added: “I live at the marina and I came down here to feed the birds at 6am and saw all the emergency services.

“It’s extremely windy, cold and choppy in the waters today so I’m not sure why anyone would have been in the sea.

“The conditions would’ve probably been strong enough to push them from near Brighton Palace Pier.”