Youngsters who died in Bournemouth tragedy weren’t hit by vessel, say police
P
olice have confirmed that no vessel is believed to have been in “physical contact” with a 17-year-old boy and 12-year-old woman who died after moving into issue within the sea off Bournemouth seashore.
Emergency services recovered 10 individuals, all believed to be kids, from the water close to Bournemouth Pier round 4.30pm on Wednesday.
Dorset Police mentioned the woman and boy sustained “critical injuries”, and later died in hospital whereas the opposite eight have been handled for accidents that aren’t life-threatening.
A person aged in his 40s, who was “on the water” on the time, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, based on police.
A pressure spokesman mentioned on Thursday: “We continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident that occurred yesterday resulting in the deaths of a 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy.
“We are working with partner agencies to understand what has caused the tragedy.
“However, early investigation indicates that there was no physical contact between a vessel and any swimmers at the time of the incident.
“We are investigating the circumstances that caused a number of swimmers to get into difficulty.
“Further information will be released as the investigation progresses.”
Emergency services at the scene on Wednesday
/ Max Willcock/BNPSAt least one eyewitness Paul Moyce, 61, said he believed those involved had been jumping into the sea off the pier.
He said: “I think they went off the end of the pier and went out too far. They must have got caught by the current. I lived here for 61 years and I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Another eyewitness, Trevor Pinto, had been walking along the pier with his 16-year-old son and said it happened “very close” by.
He told the BBC they watched as lifeguards attempted to resuscitate two people, adding: “It took me a while to realise, ‘oh my god someone had lost their life’.”
Ritta Saruchera said her daughter and a friend were in the sea at the time when they saw what happened.
She added: “They were coming back out of the water when they saw a teenage boy struggling.
“We went to get help from the lifeguard and inform them of what was happening. There were three young men out there and they have been searching for a fourth.”
Families who have arrived at the beach on Thursday have spoken of their shock at the previous day’s events.
One woman, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s such a shame, people just come here to have fun during the half term, it’s a real tragedy.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan, of Dorset Police, mentioned: “Our ideas are with the family members of the younger individuals who tragically died and we’re doing all we are able to to help their households.
“I perceive the seashore was very busy on the time of the incident and I might ask anybody with info which will help our enquiries to please come ahead.
“We are on the early levels of our investigation and would ask individuals to not speculate in regards to the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said the incident was a “salutary lesson” that “hazard is ever current” on beaches and the ocean.
“Thoughts with everyone associated with the dreadful events unfolding in Bournemouth this evening,” he mentioned.
“A salutary lesson that our seashores and ocean can provide a lot pleasure however hazard is ever current.
“Thanks to the Life Guards and the Air Ambulance who we are able to take with no consideration.”