There is no evidence two children jumped from Bournemouth Pier before sustaining fatal injuries in the water, Dorset Police has said. A police spokesperson issued the update at a press briefing at the beach following the deaths of a 12-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire and 17-year old boy from Southampton.
The two victims had suffered critical injuries in the incident which happened next to Bournemouth Pier in the middle of half term. A man in his 40s, who was 'on the water' at the time, was arrested on suspicion manslaughter.
Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell told the press conference there is "no suggestion of people jumping from the pier" and confirmed the victims did not know each other. While she said there was a limited amount of information she could give while the case is active, she acknowledged she wanted to avoid further speculation.
