Boy, 17, who died in Bournemouth beach tragedy ‘was on day trip with college pal’ when he was killed alongside girl, 12
A BOY who died in the Bournemouth beach tragedy was reportedly on a day trip with a college pal when he was killed.
The young lad, 17, who hasn’t been named yet, passed away after getting into difficulty in the water on Wednesday afternoon.
He sadly lost his life alongside a girl, 12, in the incident which witnesses have described as a “horror film”.
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.
It has now been revealed the teenager was visiting Bournemouth for the day with a friend – who was one of those injured.
Survivor Lauren Tate, 18, was admitted to hospital yesterday but is now back home recovering.
Her dad told the Mail she was swimming with pals at the time when the “rip tide took them out”.
He said: “We’ve seen all the stuff about boats and jet skis but it wasn’t like that.
“She was swimming in the sea with her friends when the rip tide took them out.
“She was lucky to get pulled from the sea by the coastguard and one of her other friends was rescued by a paddleboarder.
“I know the boy who died was at college with her, but I don’t know anything about him.
“All she told me is that they all met up on the train and headed to Bournemouth beach for the day.”
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.
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.
The boy, from Southampton, was brought ashore on a jet ski by a lifeguard and given CPR on the beach.
About 15 minutes later the girl, from Buckinghamshire, was brought out after being found floating face down in the sea.
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.”
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.”
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.
Residents last night said strong tides were common at the end of the pier and they had experienced difficulties while swimming there.
Warning signs there say: “No swimming, diving or fishing.”
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.