A pleasure boat in Bournemouth has been sealed off by police officers as they continue to investigate the deaths of two children on Bournemouth beach. The boat, the Dorset Belle, has been moved to Cobb's Quay Marina in Poole and has reportedly been under a police cordon since yesterday (June 1).
Photos from the marina show a number of Dorset Police vehicles and officers around the boat. The Times reports Dorset Police have impounded the boat, with no one allowed onboard the vessel, although the force has said they are unable to confirm if it is linked to the investigation.
The vessel had made a number of trips around Bournemouth Pier on Wednesday (May 31), according to information from shipping sites. These include one close to the site of the incident that led to the deaths of a 12-year-old girl from Buckinghamshire and a 17-year-old boy from Southampton, DorsetLive reports.
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Investigations are ongoing into the deaths and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear. One man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion on manslaughter, but has since been released under investigation.
At a press conference yesterday, Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said there was no evidence to suggest there had been "contact between a vessel and swimmers".
Eight other children were rescued from the water and treated by paramedics at the same time the two were found. ACC Farrell continued: "It is clear yesterday, a number of people already in the water got into difficulty and we are investigating the circumstances or event that caused that to happen.
"Early investigation indicates that there was no physical contact between a vessel and any other swimmers at the time of the incident. I can also confirm there is no suggestion of people jumping from the pier or jet skis being involved."
While ACC Farrell said she was unable to give extensive details of the ongoing investigation at a press conference, she was keen to dispel rumour and speculation after reports some teenagers had been tombstoning from Bournemouth Pier into the water while others were swimming underneath it. One witness also reported jet skis in the area at the time.
RNLI lifeguards rescued eight other children who were in danger of being swept away by a strong and sudden current. A Dorset Police spokesperson said: "We continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident that occurred yesterday resulting in the deaths of a 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy.
"We are working with partner agencies to understand what has caused the tragedy. However, early investigation indicates that there was no physical contact between a vessel and any swimmers at the time of the incident.
"We are investigating the circumstances that caused a number of swimmers to get into difficulty."
The force has urged members of the public to avoid speculation and to remove any video footage of the incident and following emergency service response which has been circulating on social media. Instead, police ask the footage, some of which shows graphic detail of injured people receiving CPR, be shared with their Major Incident Public Portal to aid the investigation.
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. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555111.
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