Police have issued an update after a a 17-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl died in the sea off Bournemouth beach.
Dorset police confirmed that no vessel is believed to have made "physical contact" with the pair. Officers received a report from paramedics at around 4.30pm on Wednesday afternoon.
The boy and girl sustained "critical injuries" and later died in hospital. Meanwhile, eight other people were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
A man in his 40s, who was “on the water” at the time, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, according to police. A force spokesman 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.
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“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. Further information will be released as the investigation progresses.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan, of Dorset Police, said: “Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the young people who tragically died and we are doing all we can to support their families. I understand the beach was very busy at the time of the incident and I would ask anyone with information that may assist our inquiries 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.”
Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said the incident was a “salutary lesson” that “danger is ever present” on beaches and the ocean. “Thoughts with everyone associated with the dreadful events unfolding in Bournemouth this evening,” he said.
“A salutary lesson that our beaches and ocean can give much pleasure but danger is ever present. Thanks to the lifeguards and the Air Ambulance who we can take for granted.”
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