Boy, 17, and girl, 12, die following incident off Bournemouth beach
The mother of a girl who died in the Bournemouth beach tragedy has said she is still in the dark about what happened during the incident.
Susannah Khan, 12 and Joe Abbess, 17, died last week after getting into difficulty in the sea off the pier.
Her mother, Stephanie Williams, 32, said she has not been given any information beyond what Dorset Police said at a news conference following the deaths.
“It’s just really difficult to accept,” she told The Sun. “Somebody has potentially caused Sunnah to be taken away from us. Ms Williams added the cause of her daughter’s death was drowning but there were “no other injuries”.
Joe, from Southampton, was indentifiied as the second victim.
His family said they were “heartbroken and devastated” at the loss of a “fabulous young man” and “talented trainee chef” who was enjoying a day at Bournemouth beach when he died on Wednesday.
A 40-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the incident has been released under investigation.
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Victim’s mother still in the dark over what happened
The mother of a girl who died in the Bournemouth beach tragedy has said she is still in the dark about what happened during the incident.
Susannah Khan, 12 and Joe Abbess, 17, died last week after getting into difficulty in the sea off the pier.
Her mother, Stephanie Williams, 32, said she has not been given any information beyond what Dorset Police said at a news conference following the deaths.
“It’s just really difficult to accept,” she told The Sun. “Somebody has potentially caused Sunnah to be taken away from us.
Ms Williams added the cause of her daughter’s death was drowning but there were “no other injuries”.
(Twitter/Stephanie Williams)
Matt Mathers5 June 2023 07:49
Recap: everything we know so far about the beach deaths
Here is everything we know so far:
Matt Mathers5 June 2023 07:31
ICYMI: Bournemouth beach victim, 17, was talented young chef
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.
Matt Mathers5 June 2023 07:28
Good morning and welcome to the Independent’s coverage of the Bournemouth beach tragedy.
Two youngsters died last week after getting into difficulty in the sea off the pier.
It remains unclear how the victims, who sustained “critical injuries”, died. We’ll bring you updates on this story as they come in.
Matt Mathers5 June 2023 07:28
What is a riptide? Sea phenomenon explained after Bournemouth tragedy
Bournemouth has been rocked by the tragic deaths of two children who got into trouble in the sea as thousands of half-term holidaymakers descended on the popular beach.
A 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy died after suffering critical injuries during the incident near Bournemouth Pier on Wednesday.
Eight others were pulled from the water but none of their conditions were life-threatening.
Police are still establishing what happened during the incident, but a father of one of the beach tragedy survivors has claimed his 18-year-old daughter – who spent a short time in hospital after the incident – was taken out by a “riptide”.
It comes after police dismissed speculation that the victims had jumped off the pier or were hit by a vessel on the water.
Here we look at what a riptide is and what to do if you get caught in one:
Joe Middleton4 June 2023 19:32
Bournemouth: Witness describes ‘panic’ on beach after tragic incident
Bournemouth: Witness describes ‘panic’ on beach after tragic incident
Joe Middleton4 June 2023 18:19
Family’s full tribute to ‘wonderful son and brother’
In a statement provided to Dorset Police, the family of Joe Abbess, said: “We are heartbroken and devastated at the death of our Joe. He was a wonderful son and brother who is sadly missed.
“His family and friends will always love him and we are incredibly proud of the fabulous young man he was. He was kind and generous, loving and caring, hardworking and funny.
“Joe was a talented trainee chef, with a bright future ahead of him. We were privileged to have him in our lives for 17 years and we are so sorry he will never fulfil his dreams and ambitions.
“He was enjoying a day at the beach on Wednesday and we would like to thank his friends and all of the emergency services who helped him, when this tragedy unfolded.”
Joe Middleton4 June 2023 17:45
Boy, 17, who died in Bournemouth beach tragedy identified by police
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”, according to a family statement issued by Dorset Police.
A 12-year-old girl, named in reports as Sunnah Khan, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, died at the same time.
Joe Middleton4 June 2023 17:17
Everything we know about impounded sightseeing boat after Bournemouth beach deaths
A 12-year-old girl and 17-year-old boy died after suffering critical injuries during the incident near the Pier on Wednesday.
Eight others were pulled from the water but none of their conditions were life-threatening.
A day after the incident, forensic officers were seen onboard the sightseeing boat, the Dorset Belle, at Cobb’s Quay, Poole Harbour.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain4 June 2023 15:19