Two young people tragically drowned at Bournemouth Beach after being caught in a rip current, according to witness statements given at their inquest. Joe Abbess, 17, from Southampton, and 12-year-old Sunnah Khan, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, were swept out to sea in May 2023. Another eight people were rescued.
Witnesses at the inquest described seeing the waves becoming chaotic suddenly, “with no warning”. One said that the waves were so strong and big that they knocked him over and under the water. He described thinking he was going to die and even being able to see the rest of his group swimming back to shore. He was exhausted by the time he managed to swim back.
A boy who went into the water with Joe said that a wave “larger than his head” appeared out of nowhere and knocked him over, and that the waves were getting stronger. He saw Joe being swept out to sea. Police confirmed that they believe the deaths were caused by a rip current.
Dr Simon Boxall, an expert in physical oceanography and senior lecturer at the University of Southampton, explained that the day had started well with no apparent risks. However, a change in frequency of waves and a north-easterly wind contributed to an unusually strong rip current. Despite the unpredictability of the ocean and the strength of the rip current, he noted that the two young people were obeying all the rules and doing things correctly.
Det Ch Insp Neil Third of Dorset Police gave evidence about the timeline of events, confirming it was a warm day with a busy beach. The first sign of people struggling was seen at 15:46, and the first lifeguard was seen running into the water at 15:53. The first ambulance arrived at 16:13, and a major incident was declared at 16:45. Sunnah was spotted in the sea around this time and Joe was pulled out at 16:18. Police say there was no third-party involvement in the incident
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
