Bournemouth beach deaths – latest: Boat operations halted after ‘riptide’ pier tragedy

A lack of clarity from police investigating what happened in the Bournemouth tragedy is fuelling "wild speculation” on social media, a senior MP has said.

Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP for Bournemouth East and chair of the Commons defence committee, suggested the void could be filled with “misleading messaging” by those “who wish us harm”.

Police are keeping an “open mind” about the circumstances that led to the death of two youngsters who got into difficulty in the water off Bournemouth beach.

Speaking to the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme earlier, Mr Ellwood said: “Certainly anybody would not want to impede or prejudice the investigation.

“But if the absence of any comprehensive statement becomes standard, I can see who, speaking on a wider picture and security level… those who wish us harm could leverage the void by misleading messaging.

“We do need to understand, learn lessons from this, provide clarity early on – just so people can have an assurance of mind as to what roughly happened, and then make their own assessments as to whether it’s safe to go or whether they should move away.”

A top policing official has defended Dorset Police’s handling of the Bournemouth beach tragedy, saying it is a“complex” case.

David Sidwick, the Conservative police and crime commissioner for Dorset, pushed back against allegations that the force had not provided enough clarity about what happened.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that while there would be a review of police communication “at the end of all this”, officers were dealing with a “complex” case and cooperating with other agencies.

He added: “This is a complex investigation. It includes a number of agencies including the coroner’s office, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Dorset police.

“They are working together as fast as they can to find out what happened on that day. And I truly believe that they need to be given the time and space to do that fully, thoroughly, professionally and without hindrance.

“At this moment in time, we have to understand that this is an immensely complex situation. The police moved to rule out those things which they could rule out when they had enough evidence to be able to do that.

“What they can’t do is say what exactly happened and they shouldn’t because the veracity of any statement made by those investigating this incident must be beyond reproach.

“And not just for any legal situation, but also because it is, to remind everyone – the victims and their families’ needs are paramount.”

The 12-year-old girl who died in the Bournemouth beach tragedy was chest-deep in the sea when she was pulled underwater, it has been reported.

Sunnah Khan, 12, from High Wycombe, was standing chest-deep in the sea before the incident unfolded beside Bournemouth Pier, according to The Sun.

A 17-year-old trainee chef from Southampton, Joe Abbess, also died after a struggle in the water.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain reports:

In a hearing to open the inquest proceedings at Bournemouth Town Hall, Dorset coroner’s officer Nicola Muller said that post mortem examinations carried out by Home Office pathologist Basil Purdue showed the cause of their deaths was drowning.

She said that Joe, a trainee chef, was taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital where he was pronounced dead, and Sunnah was taken to Poole General Hospital.

She said that Joe was identified by Detective Constable Hannah Webster by a photograph provided by his family, and Sunnah was identified by her father at the hospital.

Rachael Griffin, senior coroner for Dorset, said: "I understand there is an ongoing police investigation, despite that, I have already submitted the appropriate paperwork and released both Joe’s and Sunnah’s bodies for the purposes of their funerals.

"In relation to that ongoing police investigation, I am unable to make any progress in my inquiries.

"It’s very important people do not speculate on the circumstances surrounding Joe and Sunnah’s deaths and allow the police investigation to proceed, which will allow my investigation to proceed.

"I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere condolences to Joe and Sunnah’s families, my thoughts are very much with them at this difficult time following this tragedy.

"My thoughts are also with those who attended or witnessed the traumatic events."

She added: "It’s important they are aware of how to respond when problems arise and urge people to follow guidance from public agencies such as the RNLI."

Ms Griffin adjourned the hearing until a pre-inquest review to be held on September 18.

Two teenagers have been hailed heroes after they helped bring a man struggling in the water off Bournemouth Pier to safety on the day two children died in the sea.

Iona Hunter, 14, and Kaiden Andre, 15, were swimming in water at Bournemouth beach on the day of a tragic incident, which led to the deaths of a 12-year-old girl from High Wycombe - identified on social media as Sunnah Khan - and a 17-year-old boy from Southampton.

Full report:

Dorset Police is keeping an “open mind” as to what caused two youngsters to drown in the sea off Bournemouth Pier, a detective has said.

Neil Corrigan, detective chief superintendent, said investigations are looking into the “state of the water” when 10 people got into difficulty.

"Our thoughts remain with the families of those young people,” he said,

"As with any investigation of this nature, we have to look at all factors connected to the state of the water.”

Mr Corrigan added: "One of those lines of inquiry has involved the pleasure boat, which was in the area at the time of the incident. These inquiries 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."

Bourne End Academy has paid tribute to its “happy” and “energetic” former pupil Sunnah Khan, one of two youngsters who died in the Bournemouth beach tragedy.

"It is with great sadness that we can confirm that one of our students, Sunnah Khan, died during the half-term break,” a spokesperson for the co-educational secondary school in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire, said.

"As a student, Sunnah grew in confidence over her first 10 months at Bourne End. She developed a bold and happy personality which resonated throughout the school community.”

The spokesperson added: "Her energetic character and fierce sense of loyalty meant that she had built strong and positive relationships with her peers and teachers. She will be enormously missed.

"Our deepest condolences are with the family and their friends during this difficult time and in due course we will share details of a fitting memorial for Sunnah."

Members of the public continue paying tribute to the two youngsters who drowned in the Bournemouth beach tragedy.

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” one person wrote on Twitter. “I’ve lived here for 38 years-Our beaches are packed every year without incident. This must never happen again!

Another said: “So sorry. We often go to Bournemouth beach,” another wrote. “I cannot imagine the pain you are experiencing. Sincere condolences”.

A 17-year-old boy who died after getting into difficulty in the water off Bournemouth beach this week has been described by his family as a “fabulous young man” and “a wonderful son and brother”.

Joe Abbess, from Southampton, was “kind and generous, loving and caring, hardworking and funny”, they said.

Jane Dalton reports: