Police in Dorset state that eight others were treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the scene. A male in his forties has been taken into custody on suspicion of manslaughter.
Police have ruled out a boat hitting swimmers off Bournemouth beach, which killed a teen and a girl.
Wednesday afternoon, a 17-year-old male and a 12-year-old girl were killed in an incident. Eight additional individuals were treated for non-life-threatening injuries at the scene.
Dorset Police arrested a 40-year-old guy on the sea for manslaughter.
Thursday, the force verified that “preliminary investigation indicates there was no physical contact between a vessel and any swimmers at the time of the incident.”
“We are collaborating with partner agencies to determine the cause of the tragedy,” the Dorset Police Department said in a statement.
“We are investigating the circumstances that caused several swimmers to become entangled. As the investigation continues, additional details will be disclosed.”
Tom Saunders, a surfer who assisted with the search operation, reported hearing “lifeguard sirens and an announcement, followed by the beach being cleared on both sides.”
I was aware that something had transpired. When we heard the incoming helicopters, we knew the situation was dire,” he said.
Mr. Saunders and three other surfers investigated areas of the pier that could not be reached by the lifeguards’ jetskis.
“They said two people were missing at the time. And then after about a half-hour they said everyone was accounted for,” he explained.
At approximately 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday, paramedics notified Dorset Police of individuals requiring assistance on the beach near Bournemouth Pier.
Ten individuals were rescued from the water, but the 17-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl had sustained life-threatening injuries.
Police reported that they were transported to a hospital but later died; their families were notified.
Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan stated, “Our thoughts are with the families of the young individuals who died tragically, and we are doing everything we can to assist them”.
It is my understanding that the shoreline was crowded at the time of the incident. And I am requesting that anyone with information that could aid our investigation please come forward.
We are still in the preliminary phases of our investigation, so please refrain from making assumptions about the incident’s circumstances.
South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust stated that it dispatched multiple teams, including two air ambulances, six land ambulances, and a critical care vehicle, to the incident.
The coastguard stated that it conducted a search to “confirm that there are no other missing persons” and was “satisfied that there are not.”
