Death of two teenagers at Bournemouth beach believed to have been caused due to a riptide

Dorset Police is looking into the circumstances of an incident on Wednesday afternoon, 31 May 2023, that saw two young people tragically die after being recovered from the sea off Bournemouth beach.

Joe Abbess, a 17-year-old boy from Southampton, and Sunnah Khan, a 12-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire, were rescued from the sea during the incident, but both died later in hospital.

“The beach was extremely busy at the time of the incident and we are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward and speak to us as well as submit any mobile phone or photographic footage to the police major incident portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/55HQ23M93-PO1,” a statement by the police read.

Neither of the deceased young people or anyone else pulled from the sea at the time of the incident, was involved in any collision or contact with any vessel in the water.

Dorset Police has said that it is aware of significant speculation in news media and social media concerning a pleasure boat, which was in the area at the time of the tragedy off Bournemouth Pier.

The police investigation is looking at all circumstances of the incident including weather, wind conditions and the state of the water at the time. As there was a pleasure boat in the area of water, this is just one of several lines of enquiry.

Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan said: “We continue to keep an open mind around the circumstances that have led to the tragic death of two young people in the water off the beach.

“Our thoughts remain with the families of those young people.

“As with any investigation of this nature, we have to look at all factors connected to the state of the water. One of those lines of enquiry has involved the pleasure boat, which was in the area at the time of the incident. These enquiries also include examining wind, other weather and general coastal conditions at the time.

“We are working with experts from partner agencies to understand all of the factors and this will take time to establish.

“We continue to support the families of Joe and Sunnah and they are being kept updated by specially trained family liaison officers about our investigation.

“I would ask that the police investigation is allowed to continue without further unhelpful speculation around circumstances of the incident, and that there is respect for the families of those who have died so tragically. I would continue to appeal to anyone at the beach at the time who witnessed the incident to come forward and talk to us.”

A man in his 40s arrested on Wednesday, has been released under investigation in connection with the incident.

An inquest into both of the deaths was opened where it was revealed that a riptide may have led to the deaths of both the youngsters off Bournemouth beach.

According to the BBC, an inquest opening at Dorset Coroner’s Court heard there was a “suggestion” a riptide had led to their drowning.

Dorset Police confirmed that it was keeping an “open mind” about the circumstances under which both had died.

The force said it was considering other factors including the impact of weather conditions and the state of the water.

It has dismissed speculation the teenagers had jumped from the pier.

The inquest was opened and adjourned for a pre-inquest review hearing on 18 September.

Anyone with information is asked to submit it via https://mipp.police.uk/operation/55HQ23M93-PO1. If you are unable to submit information online, call 101 quoting occurrence number 55230083818.