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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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.
Bournemouth councillor says incident ‘must have been terrifying experience'
Councillor Vikki Slade said: “It must have been a really terrifying experience for everybody.
“We are grateful to the public for clearing the space so quickly.
“Bournemouth remains a really fantastic place to visit and this incident needs to be investigated properly.”
BREAKING: Police say no jet skis or pier jumpers involved in Bournemouth beach tragedy
Dorset Police have said there were no jet skis or pier jumping involved in the deaths of two children at Bournemouth Beach.
The deceased - a 17-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl - suffered “critical injuries” and died after being pulled from the sea.
Eight other people were treated for injuries described as non-threatening. A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said there is “no suggestion” of people jumping from Bournemouth pier or of jet skis being involved in the incident.
Dorset Police earlier confirmed that there was “no physical contact” between a vessel and the swimmers.
Police say no jet skis or pier jumpers involved in Bournemouth beach tragedy
Dorset Police have said there were no jet skis or pier jumping involved in the deaths of two children at Bournemouth Beach.
10 rescued from the water, police say
Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said a total of 10 people were rescued from the water in Bournemouth on Wednesday.
“A 17-year-old boy from Southampton and a 12-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire were taken to hospital where very sadly they later died,” she said.
The other eight people involved were treated by ambulance at the scene, she added.
“I would sincerely like to thank members of the public who helped people in trouble in the water.
“I’m also very grateful to the wider beach-goers who really quickly moved from the beach and allowed emergency services to do their work,” she said.
‘It is horrendous'
The Independent’s Tara Cobham is reporting from Bournemouth and talking to locals about the tragic incident.
Rob Shepherd, 24, said: “We work in cafe down there. I heard three helicopters out of no where. Loads of police cars.
“We couldn’t really tell what was going on. Then they closed everything off so people couldn’t be on the bit of the beach. It is horrendous.
“My friends at Street Kings (a food van) said they saw bodies.”
Police say there ‘no physical contact’ between vessel and swimmers at Bournemouth beach
Girl, 12, who died was from High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire Council said it was “saddened” to hear the “tragic news” that a 12-year-old girl who died after an incident at Bournemouth beach was from High Wycombe.
Councillor Anita Cranmer , Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services at the council, said:“Buckinghamshire Council is saddened to hear the tragic news of the death of a 12 year old girl from High Wycombe yesterday on Bournemouth beach.
“Our thoughts go out to her family and friends. We will be offering support to them at this very difficult time.”
'Unfortunately I saw someone receiving CPR’
People arriving at the beach on Thursday have spoken of their shock at the previous day’s events.
Tom Saunders, told Sky News: “I was surfing on the west side with about four other people and we heard the lifeguard sirens going off, making announcements, and the beach got cleared either side.
“Obviously we knew something had gone on and the helicopter was coming so we knew it was serious.
“Unfortunately I saw someone receiving CPR. The lifeguards put up a screen so no-one could see but unfortunately from where we were we could.
“The jet-skis were going round the pier looking for stuff, so me and three other surfers offered to help and actually paddled into the pier to have a look.
“They said there were two people missing at the time, then after about half an hour they said everyone was accounted for and we just carried on.”
Bournemouth: Witness describes 'panic' on beach after tragic incident
Beachgoers filmed Bournemouth tragedy victim receiving CPR
Beachgoers filmed paramedics delivering CPR to people involved in an incident off Bournemouth Pier that killed two youngsters, witnesses have said.
The deceased - a 17-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl - sustained “critical injuries” and died after being pulled from the sea.
Eight other people were treated for injuries described as non-threatening. A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
Matt Mathers reports.
Beachgoers filmed Bournemouth tragedy victim receiving CPR
‘People were running towards those having CPR filming on their phones’, one woman says
Detectives urge witnesses not to circulate footage on social media
Dorset Police have urged witnesses not to circulate footage of the incident on social media and hand it over to authorities investigating the tragedy instead.
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