Victims drowned after getting caught in possible riptide, inquest hears
Two young people who died from drowning in the sea off Bournemouth beach may have been caught in a riptide, an inquest has heard.
Joe Abbess, 17, from Southampton, and Sunnah Khan, 12, from Buckinghamshire, were among a group of ten people rescued during the incident last Wednesday, but both later died in hospital.
A joint investigation has been launched by Dorset Police and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Dorset coronerâs court has now also opened proceedings after a post-mortem examination was carried out by Home Office pathologist Basil Purdue.
In a hearing at Bournemouth Town Hall, coronerâs officer Nicola Muller said the cause of both Joe and Sunnahâs deaths has been given as drowning.
Joe, a trainee chef, was taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, while Sunnah was taken to Poole General Hospital, the court heard.
Describing the incident, Ms Muller said members of the public contacted the emergency services because of swimmers who had âcome into difficulty in the waterâ.
There was a suggestion they had been caught in a riptide, the court heard.
Rachael Griffin, senior coroner for Dorset, said: âI understand there is an ongoing police investigation, despite that, I have already submitted the appropriate paperwork and released both Joeâs and Sunnahâs bodies for the purposes of their funerals.
âIn relation to that ongoing police investigation, I am unable to make any progress in my inquiries.
âItâs very important people do not speculate on the circumstances surrounding Joe and Sunnahâs deaths and allow the police investigation to proceed, which will allow my investigation to proceed.
âI would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere condolences to Joe and Sunnahâs families, my thoughts are very much with them at this difficult time following this tragedy.
âMy thoughts are also with those who attended or witnessed the traumatic events.â
She added: âI wish to take this opportunity to remind all those who enter the sea or open water to be aware of the powers of the water and the risks of swimming in open water.
âItâs important they are aware of how to respond when problems arise and urge people to follow guidance from public agencies such as the RNLI.â
Ms Griffin adjourned the hearing until a pre-inquest review to be held on 18 September. Neither of the families of the two deceased were present at the short hearing.
Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood has expressed concern about a lack of clarity from local police officers about the incident, which he said had led to âwild speculation on social mediaâ.
âWe 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,â he told BBC Radio 4âs Today programme.
The Bournemouth East MP said: âCertainly anybody would not want to impede or prejudice the investigation.
âBut 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.â
But David Sidwick, the Conservative police and crime commissioner for Dorset, defended the policeâs handling of the âcomplexâ case.
Dorset Police have said that the beach was extremely busy but that neither of the deceased young people or anyone else pulled from the sea at the time of the incident was involved in any collision or contact with any vessel in the water.
A man in his 40s, who was âon the waterâ at the time, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, and was released under investigation on Thursday.
The Dorset Belle sightseeing boat was impounded by Dorset Police after the incident.
Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan said: âWe continue to keep an open mind around the circumstances that have led to the tragic death of two young people in the water off the beach.
âOur thoughts remain with the families of those young people.
âAs with any investigation of this nature, we have to look at all factors connected to the state of the water.â
âOne 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.
âWe are working with experts from partner agencies to understand all of the factors and this will take time to establish.â
Joe Abbessâs family paid tribute in a statement on Sunday, saying: âWe are heartbroken and devastated at the death of our Joe. He was a wonderful son and brother who is sadly missed.
âHis 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.
âJoe was a talented trainee chef, with a bright future ahead of him.
âWe were privileged to have him in our lives for 17 years and we are so sorry he will never fulfil his dreams and ambitions.
âHe 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.â
In a tribute on Twitter, Sunnah Khanâs mother, Stephanie Williams, said: âSunnah was so well loved and well liked.
âNo parent should ever have to go through what her dad and I are going through. We love you so much baby girl.â