UPDATE: Bournemouth beach death investigation rules out collision

Updated: Wednesday, June 1, at 1:22 pm

The police investigation into the deaths of a 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy is underway in Bournemouth after a number of people got into trouble in the sea. Police have found no signs of a collision.

A man has been held on suspected manslaughter but it is still unclear what caused the problem which affected a number of swimmers, with a further eight hospitalised.

Initial suspicions that there may have been some sort of collision with a vehicle have been provisionally ruled out by police, who are expected to release a statement later today according to MP Tobias Ellwood who posted this on Twitter:

“This is a tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the young girl and boy who lost their lives. Thank you to all the emergency services that responded so quickly. Dorset Police will be providing a full statement later today.”

This is a tragic incident.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the young girl and boy who lost their lives.

Thank you to all the emergency services that responded so quickly.

Dorset Police will be providing a full statement later today. https://t.co/Q23yP4o9s7

— Tobias Ellwood MP (@Tobias_Ellwood) June 1, 2023

In the police statement released so far, Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan said: “I understand the beach was very busy at the time of the incident and I would ask anyone with information that may assist our enquiries to please come forward.

“We are at the early stages of our investigation and would ask people not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

We will keep you up to date on any further developments as they emerge.

Wednesday, June 1, at 11:10 am

A man in his 40s has been arrested for the alleged manslaughter of a 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy as eight others were treated for lesser injuries in an unspecified incident near a pier in Bournemouth, May 31.

Dorset Police released a statement saying they received a report of the incident at 4:32 pm yesterday and that the two victims had died from their injuries in hospital.

About 30 minutes earlier lifeguards had been seen urging people to clear the beach and then air ambulances began to arrive at the scene. The lifeguards were also spotted on jet skis and boats, searching the water for casualties.

The incident took place on a very busy day in the school half-term holidays and as the incident unfolded onlookers were horrified to realise that a serious event had occurred.

Local MP Conor Burns posted a statement on Twitter saying: “Thoughts with everyone associated with the dreadful events unfolding in Bournemouth this evening. A salutary lesson that our beaches and ocean can give much pleasure but danger is ever present. Thanks to the Life Guards and the Air Ambulance who we can take for granted.”

Thoughts with everyone associated with the dreadful events unfolding in Bournemouth this evening. A salutary lesson that our beaches and ocean can give much pleasure but danger is ever present. Thanks to the Life Guards and the Air Ambulance who we can take for granted.

— Conor Burns (@ConorBurnsUK) May 31, 2023

We will keep you informed as we find out more about what happened yesterday in Bournemouth.