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

[2 June 2023 13:15 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

No jet skis or pier jumpers involved in Bournemouth beach deaths, police say

No jet skis or pier jumping were involved in the deaths of two children at Bournemouth beach, Dorset Police have said.

There was also no physical contact between the 10 swimmers plucked from the waves on Wednesday evening and any vessel, the force added on Thursday.

A 40-year-old man “on the water” at the time of the tragedy has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

The youngsters who died after being pulled from the sea – a 17-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl – had suffered “critical injuries”. Eight other people were treated on the beach for injuries described as non-threatening.

[2 June 2023 13:40 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

A packed beach, a fight and a single bunch of flowers: Mystery Bournemouth deaths fail to deter tourists

Mystery still surrounds the events that saw a 17 year-old-boy and a 12 year-girl lose their lives - but Bournemouth beach was as busy as ever on Thursday. Tara Cobham reports

[2 June 2023 14:00 · Maryam Zakir-Hussain]

Watch: Tory MP Tobias Ellwood says Bournemouth council to review protocols on pier after two fatalities

[2 June 2023 14:15 · Joe Middleton]

Everything we know about impounded sightseeing boat after Bournemouth beach deaths

A sightseeing boat has been impounded by police after two children died in a tragic sea incident in Bournemouth this week.

A 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy died after suffering critical injuries during the incident near the Pier on Wednesday.

Eight others were pulled from the water but none of their conditions were life-threatening.

A day after the incident, forensic officers were seen onboard the sightseeing boat, the Dorset Belle, at Cobb’s Quay, Poole Harbour.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports.

[2 June 2023 14:33 · Joe Middleton]

Passenger aboard Dorset Belle recalls moment body pulled from water

A passenger on board the Dorset Belle when the deaths of two young people occurred at a Bournemouth has recalled seeing a body pulled from the water.

Luke Owen went for a trip with his family on the vessel shortly before 10 people got into trouble in the sea on Wednesday afternoon at around 4pm.

Mr Owen said he was surprised to see an empty beach after they docked up following the tour and was told by the boat operator that somebody was being pulled from the water.

He told the Daily Mirror: “Nothing really affects me but when it’s something like that it kind of hits you.

“Especially as I was with the family, my little one especially, I wanted to get out of there.

“My son’s 14 so he wanted to see what was going on so we looked briefly and police were saying for people to move.”

[2 June 2023 14:58 · Joe Middleton]

Bournemouth: Witness describes 'panic' on beach after tragic incident

[2 June 2023 15:20 · Joe Middleton]

Experts advise on how to stay safe while swimming in open water

Each year, rising temperatures and longer days in summer encourage Britons to seek out bodies of water to cool off and have fun in.

Swimming, paddleboarding and other water-based activities can provide a wholesome day for families and friends, whether that’s in lakes, rivers, or at the seaside. However, there are a number of safety measures individuals should remember when taking part in these.

It comes after several people had drowned in rivers, lakes and in the sea in recent weeks, with four deaths occurring over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend alone.

Kate Ng reports.

[2 June 2023 15:42 · Joe Middleton]

What is a riptide? Sea phenomenon explained after Bournemouth tragedy

Bournemouth has been rocked by the tragic deaths of two children who got into trouble in the sea as thousands of half-term holidaymakers descended on the popular beach.

A 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy died after suffering critical injuries during the incident near Bournemouth Pier on Wednesday.

Eight others were pulled from the water but none of their conditions were life-threatening.

Police are still establishing what happened during the incident, but a father of one of the beach tragedy survivors has claimed his 18-year-old daughter - who spent a short time in hospital after the incident - was taken out by a “riptide”.

Matt Mathers explains.

[2 June 2023 16:07 · Joe Middleton]

Map shows route pleasure boat Dorset Belle took at time of tragedy

Here is a map which shows the journey that pleasure boat Dorset Belle took at the time of the incident on Bournemouth beach.

The boat left the pier at 4pm and then returned at 4.38pm, shortly after the ambulance service requested assistance near the pier.

(The Independent/Datawrapper)

[2 June 2023 16:44 · Joe Middleton]

MP calls for safety review following Bournemouth beach deaths

A Bournemouth MP has called for a safety review following the death of two youngsters who died after getting into trouble off the popular beach and called on police to clarify the circumstances to end “wild speculation”.

Tobias Ellwood, Conservative MP, for Bournemouth East, told the PA news agency: “There needs to be a review, the police are conducting their investigation, there needs to be a review of the circumstances to see whether any safety measures and protocols need to be upgraded to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future.

“I encourage Dorset Police to clarify the general circumstances of this tragic accident to avoid further wild speculation and uncertainty for parents who may be cautious about going to any part of the beach, unclear of exactly what happened in this terrible incident.”