No criminal offences were committed in relation to the deaths of two young swimmers off Bournemouth beach, police have concluded.
Joe Abbess, 17, and Sunnah Khan, 12, drowned and eight other people were treated by paramedics after they were suspected to have been caught in a riptide next to the pier at the Dorset seaside resort on 31 May.
A man in his 40s who was “on the water” at the time of the incident was initially arrested on suspicion of manslaughter but will face no further action, Dorset Police said.
The sightseeing boat, the Dorset Belle, was also impounded by police.
After examining the vessel and looking into its operator, the force made the “evidence-based decision” that the movement of the boat did not contribute to any dangerous sea conditions.
Last month, all boat trips were suspended from Bournemouth pier as a “precautionary” move “pending the conclusion of the police investigation”.
During this incident, which occurred approximately 100 metres to the east of the pier and in the zone between the RNLI flags, Joe and Sunnah tragically drowned,” Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan said.
“During the emergency response that followed information was given to police which indicated that the movement of a boat – the Dorset Belle – immediately before the incident occurred could have contributed toward creating dangerous sea conditions.
“Witnesses suggested that there had been similar issues with the vessel having created such problems previously.”
Police asked an expert to review the material it had and to consider factors such as prevailing tide and meteorological conditions at the time, before releasing the boat when the probe ended.
It said it is for the coroner to make final findings regarding the causes during an inquest.
MPs were told of Stephanie Williams’ – Sunnah’s mother – proposals to improve water safety earlier this month.
Conservative MP Rob Butler raised the incident in the Commons after Ms Williams told him that she was concerned “about the likelihood that more parents will receive the devastating news that their child has drowned,” as the summer holidays approach.
She also wanted to see improved signage near to water, and to encourage people to wear brightly coloured swimwear to make it easier to identify them in the water in case of emergency.
Source : SKY NEWS
