Officers investigating the deaths of two youngsters in Bournemouth are asking witnesses to the tragedy to send in phone footage and picture to help them piece together what happened. On Wednesday afternoon (May 31), two young people died 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. Witnesses, including people on the beach at the time as well as those on the Dorset Belle passenger boat, since seized by police, are being asked to submit any pictures and footage they took at the time of the incident.
The beach was extremely busy at the time of the incident and the police are appealing for more witnesses. Officers believe mobile phone or photographic footage taken at the time could help with their investigation and have set up a means for people to submit video and picture evidence online.
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Last week police ruled out the possibility of a vessel making contact with anyone in the water. Dorset Police has stated it is aware of significant speculation 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 is anticipated to be opened on Monday, June 5 subject to confirmation by HM Coroner.
Anyone with information is asked to submit it here . If you are unable to submit information online, call 101 quoting occurrence number 55230083818.
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