Bournemouth beach deaths – latest: Boat operations halted after ‘riptide’ pier tragedy

Sunnah Khan, 12 and Joe Abbess, 17, died last week after getting into difficulty off the pier

Boy, 17, and girl, 12, die following incident off Bournemouth beach

Boat operations from Bournemouth Pier, where two youngsters died last week, have been suspended as a precaution.

Sunnah Khan, 12, described by a family friend as an “angel”, and Joe Abbess, 17, died last week after getting into difficulty in the sea off the pier.

An inquest heard on Monday that they died of ‘drowning’.

Earlier, Sunnah’s mother Stephanie Williams said she was still in the dark about what happened during the incident and had not been given any information beyond what Dorset Police said at a news conference following the deaths.

On Tuesday, the local council said that a ban on boat operations would remain while the police carry out an investigation.

A statement, seen by the Independent, said: “All boat operations from the pier have been suspended as a precaution, pending a conclusion to the police investigation.

“We are aware the investigation is complex and will consult with Dorset Police when the investigation is complete.”

A 40-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the incident has been released under investigation.

Key points

• Two victims drowned, inquest hears
• Mother of ‘angel’ who drowned still in dark over what happened
• Teenagers hailed as heroes after risking lives to save drowning man on day of tragedy
• Family of girl who died in Bournemouth beach tragedy say death left ‘hole in our hearts’
• Father of Bournemouth tragedy survivor says daughter taken out by ‘rip tide'
• Police search pleasure boat as part of investigation
• Two children who died in sea tragedy ‘not related', police say

[6 June 2023 17:20 · Sam Rkaina]

We’re ending our live coverage of the Bournemouth beach tragedy but keep checking independent.co.uk for the latest updates.