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
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
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.
No jet skis or pier jumpers involved in Bournemouth beach tragedy, police say
No physical contact between boat and 10 swimmers but man ‘on the water at the time’ arrested on suspicion of manslaughter
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
A beach and a bunch of flowers: Busy Bournemouth welcomes tourists day after deaths
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. Tara Cobham reports
Watch: Tory MP Tobias Ellwood says Bournemouth council to review protocols on pier after two fatalities
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.
Everything we know about impounded boat after Bournemouth beach deaths
Pleasure boat remains cordoned off by police on Friday
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.”
Bournemouth: Witness describes 'panic' on beach after tragic incident
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.
Experts advise on how to stay safe while swimming in open water
Before getting into rivers, lakes or the sea, you should consider the risks
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.
What is a riptide? Sea phenomenon explained after Bournemouth tragedy
Strong rip currents can flow at up to 5mph - the speed of an Olympic swimmer
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.
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.”