Cops issue major update on Bournemouth beach incident after girl, 12, and boy 17, were killed in ‘horror film’ tragedy
COPS have issued a major update on the Bournemouth beach incident after a girl and a boy were killed in a “horror film” tragedy.
A man arrested following the deaths of a 17-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl has been released under investigation.
The two kids, who cops says were not known to each other, died after getting into difficulty in the water on Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency services rushed to Bournemouth Pier around 4.30pm where a further eight people were treated for injuries.
Desperate attempts to resuscitate the boy and girl were carried out on the sand before they were airlifted to hospital.
They were tragically pronounced dead shortly after.
A man in his 40s, who was “on the water” at the time, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
Cops have now said said he has been released under investigation.
Speculation on social media suggested the swimmers had jumped off Bournemouth pier and had been struck by a jet-ski.
However, in a press conference at the beach this afternoon Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell ruled out the theory.
Dramatic photos show air ambulances landing on the beach while fire services were called alongside the Coastguard and police.
One witness, Ritta Saruchera, said her daughter and her friend were in the sea at the time when they saw what happened.
She said: “They were coming back out of the water when they saw a teenage boy struggling. There was another one floating in the water.”
Nicola Holton, at the beach with her partner and children, told The Sun: “It was like a scene from a horror film.
“When we first spotted the swimmers in distress, they were far out to the east side of the pier.
“A lifeguard ran into the water with a surfboard.
“We saw the young man and girl brought out. It was just awful.”
Michaela Robinson Grant was at a bar on the pier and said: “My friend and I were crying as it was traumatic to witness.”
Flowers have today been laid on the beach in tribute to the kids who lost their lives.
Dorset Police were today called to a mass brawl of youths on the beach who had “bats” and “weapons”.
Footage appears to show the moment around 50 youngsters crowded around as two cops desperately tried to stop the commotion.