No Vessel Contact in Tragic Bournemouth Beach Incident, Police Confirm
Police have stated that a 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy who tragically lost their lives after being pulled from the sea off Bournemouth beach were not struck by any vessels. More information has been released by the authorities as they continue to piece together the events of that Wednesday afternoon.
A man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the incident in which 10 swimmers encountered difficulties. Dorset Police clarified that there was no contact with a jet ski or boat, and no one jumped from the pier. The investigation is still in its early stages, and specific details are being shared to address speculation. The exact sequence of events remains unclear.
According to officers, members of the public promptly came to the aid of the struggling swimmers. The girl and boy, from Buckinghamshire and Southampton respectively, suffered critical injuries and later succumbed in the hospital. They were not related. The remaining eight individuals were rescued and received treatment on the beach.
The police confirmed that the arrested man, who is currently in custody, was “on the water” at the time of the incident. Emergency services were called to Bournemouth Pier Beach, which was crowded with people enjoying their half-term holidays, at 16:32 BST.
In an earlier statement, Dorset Police clarified that their preliminary investigation indicated no physical contact between a vessel and any swimmers during the incident.
During a subsequent press conference, Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell expressed gratitude to the members of the public who assisted those in distress in the water, as well as the beachgoers who cooperated by making way for the emergency services.
Dr. Rob Rosa, who was present on the beach, aided the emergency service crews in their efforts to resuscitate the 12-year-old girl. In a social media post, he commended the teenage lifeguards on duty, acknowledging the challenging circumstances they faced. Despite their training, they were confronted with a situation they had likely never encountered before—resuscitating two children simultaneously while searching for others in a crowded sea. Dr. Rosa praised their composed response, absence of panic, and exceptional adherence to instructions while demonstrating initiative.
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Air ambulances landed on the beach, and a lifeguard on a jet ski joined the rescue operation to assist those in the water. The coastguard conducted a thorough search to ensure that no other individuals were missing, confirming their satisfaction that all were accounted for.
A section of the beach and the nearby Pier Approach were evacuated, and a cordon was established. The RNLI is now providing support to the lifeguards involved in the incident.