2023 Bournemouth beach incident

Bournemouth is one of the most popular beaches in the United Kingdom.{{Cite news |last=Paz |first=Sue |date=26 February 2018 |title=Bournemouth is voted UK's best beach, but why? |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-43140528 |access-date=2 June 2023}} On 25 June 2020 during COVID-19 lockdown, a major incident was declared after half a million people descended on the beach.{{cite web |last=Goldman |first=Andrew |date=25 June 2021 |title=One year on: when major incident was declared on Bournemouth beach |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/districts/boscombe/19398953.major-incident-declared-bournemouth-beach/ |access-date=2 June 2023 |website=Bournemouth Echo}} In 2021, it was ranked the 5th best in Europe and among the top 25 in the world.{{cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Rachael |date=23 February 2021 |title=Bournemouth beach ranks 5th best in Europe and among the top 25 in the world |url=https://news.sky.com/story/bournemouth-beach-ranks-5th-best-in-europe-and-among-the-top-25-in-the-world-12226394 |access-date=2 June 2023 |website=Sky News}}

At 4.07pm on 31 May 2023, emergency services were called to Bournemouth beach.{{cite web |last=Cartlidge |first=Sarah |date=1 June 2023 |title=Bournemouth beach incident: what we know after two children die and man arrested |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/23561708.bournemouth-beach-incident-know-two-children-die/ |access-date=2 June 2023 |website=Bournemouth Echo}} 10 people were rescued from the water.{{Citation |last=Browning |first=Oliver |title=Witness describes 'panic' on Bournemouth beach after two children die in sea tragedy |date=2023-06-01 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/bournemouth-beach-incident-deaths-witness-b2349616.html |work=The Independent |access-date=2023-07-20 |language=en}} Onlookers gave CPR to the victims.{{cite web |last=Fiorillo |first=Chiara |date=1 June 2023 |title=Hero who pulled girl from sea at Bournemouth beach makes heartbreaking admission |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/bournemouth-beach-hero-student-who-30133829 |access-date=2 June 2023 |website=mirror}} A 17-year-old-boy from Southampton and a 12 year-girl from High Wycombe were pronounced dead at hospital.{{cite web |last=Ali |first=Ayaan |date=2 June 2023 |title=Boat impounded as investigation continues into Bournemouth beach deaths |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/read-this/pleasure-boat-impounded-after-a-12-year-old-girl-and-a-17-year-old-boy-found-dead-near-bournemouth-pier-4167346 |access-date=2 June 2023 |website=Yorkshire Post}} The boy was transported to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and the girl was taken to Poole Hospital.{{cite web |last=Soteriou |first=Emma |date=5 June 2023 |title=Bournemouth beach deaths of girl, 12, and boy, 17, were due to drowning, inquest hears |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/bournemouth-beach-deaths-boy-17-girl-12-drowning/ |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=LBC |language=en}}

The victims were not related.{{Cite news |last1=Zakir-Hussain |first1=Maryam |last2=Mathers |first2=Matt |last3=Mata |first3=William |date=2 June 2023 |title=Police guard boat for second day as passenger recalls body pulled from water |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bournemouth-deaths-beach-pleasure-boat-b2350101.html |access-date=2 June 2023}} Reports were made of a "rip tide".{{cite web |last=Liddell |first=Emily |date=1 June 2023 |title=Beach tragedy survivor, 18, from Southampton 'was stuck in riptide', says dad |url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/23562220.bournemouth-beach-southampton-survivor-caught-rip-tide/ |access-date=2 June 2023 |website=Daily Echo}} Witnesses were urged not to share graphic footage of the incident online.{{cite web |last=George |first=Maya |date=1 June 2023 |title=Doctor hits out as graphic footage of beach incident is shared online |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/23562469.bournemouth-beach-doctors-anger-people-share-incident-footage/ |access-date=2 June 2023 |website=Dorset Echo}} This was after reports of TikToks being filmed near the scene. The day following the beach continued to be packed full.{{Citation |last=Browning |first=Oliver |title=Bournemouth beach packed day after two children die in sea tragedy |date=1 June 2023 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/bournemouth-beach-incident-deaths-tragedy-b2349759.html |work=The Independent |access-date=2 June 2023}}

Dorset Police said that no physical contact was made between the swimmers and any vessel or jet-ski and those involved had not been jumping off the pier.{{Cite news |last=Zakir-Hussain |first=Maryam |date=2 June 2023 |title=Everything we know about impounded boat after Bournemouth beach deaths |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bournemouth-beach-dorset-belle-boat-b2350307.html |access-date=2 June 2023}} Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell thanked members of the public who helped people in trouble in the water.{{Cite news |last1=Zaccaro |first1=Maria |last2=Wilkinson |first2=Helena |date=1 June 2023 |title=Bournemouth beach death swimmers not hit by boat or jet ski |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-65776291 |access-date=2 June 2023}}

It was described as "one of the worst British seaside incidents in recent history".{{Cite news |last1=Bird |first1=Steve |last2=Bolton |first2=Will |last3=Somerville |first3=Ewan |date=1 June 2023 |title=Pleasure boat at centre of police investigation into Bournemouth beach tragedy|work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/01/bournemouth-beach-pier-deaths-pleasure-boat-police/ |access-date=2 June 2023}} The victims were named on 4 June.{{Cite news |last=Mohdin |first=Aamna |date=2023-06-04 |title=Bournemouth beach deaths: victims named as Joe Abbess and Sunnah Khan |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jun/04/bournemouth-beach-deaths-joe-abbess-teenager-family-pay-tribute |access-date=2023-06-05 |issn=0261-3077}}

The pleasure boat the Dorset Belle was later impounded at Cobb's Quay in Poole Harbour.{{cite web |date=2 June 2023 |title=Pleasure boat impounded by police following deaths at Bournemouth beach, ITV News understands |url=https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2023-06-01/pleasure-boat-impounded-after-deaths-at-bournemouth-beach-itv-news-understands |website=ITV News}} The boat was put under police cordon.{{Cite news |last=Parsley |first=David |date=1 June 2023 |title=Pleasure cruiser that sailed close to Bournemouth pier probed by police over deaths |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/bournemouth-beach-incident-pleasure-cruiser-pier-deaths-2380651 |access-date=2 June 2023 |work=i}} The boat had reportedly not been on the water all week due to bad weather.{{cite web |last=Kindred |first=Alahna |date=2 June 2023 |title=Dad 'surprised boat trip went ahead' on day of Bournemouth tragedy - latest |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/bournemouth-beach-incident-live-tributes-30136293 |access-date=2 June 2023 |website=Daily Mirror}} The vessel is a passenger boat built in Poole by J. Bolson in 1974. Operations moved to Cardiff Bay in 2002, before returning to serve Bournemouth Pier in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Andrew |date=2023-06-03 |title=Seized pleasure boat returned to pier twice during major beach incident |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/23563726.bournemouth-beach-pleasure-boat-returned-pier-twice-amid-incident/ |access-date=2023-07-20 |website=Bournemouth Echo |language=en}} It was the first purpose built steel passenger boat to operate locally. The Dorset Police said the impounding was "just one of several lines of inquiry.{{Cite news |last=Almroth-Wright |first=Indy |date=2023-06-05 |title=Bournemouth beach deaths: Riptide may have led to drownings - inquest |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-65807339 |access-date=2023-06-05}} On 23 June, the boat operator permanently ceased operations.{{Cite news |last=White |first=Debbie |date=2023-06-23 |title=Dorset Belle operator ends boat trips from Bournemouth after tragedy |language=en |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/dorset-belle-operator-ends-boat-trips-from-bournemouth-after-tragedy-bsl6mws5r |access-date=2023-06-23 |issn=0140-0460}} On 28 June it was reported that the boat had been sold.{{Cite news |date=2023-06-28 |title=Bournemouth beach: Held boat sold after suspected riptide deaths |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-66039387 |access-date=2023-06-28}}

A man in his 40s, who Dorset police said "was on the water" at the time of the incident, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and later released under investigation.{{cite web |last1=Chantler-Hicks |first1=Lydia |last2=France |first2=Anthony |date=1 June 2023 |title=Man arrested over Bournemouth tragedy released under investigation |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/bournemouth-beach-deaths-man-arrested-dorset-police-b1084874.html |access-date=2 June 2023 |website=Evening Standard}} The incident is being investigated by Dorset Police's Maritime Accident Investigation Branch and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.{{Cite news |last=Ford |first=Emily |date=2 June 2023 |title=Bournemouth beach deaths: Police presence at cruiser |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-65786269 |access-date=2 June 2023}} On 2 June it was revealed that the Dorset Belle had returned to Bournemouth Pier at 4.40pm and 5.03pm.

On 5 June 2023, an inquest at Dorset Coroner's Court was told there was a "suggestion" that a riptide may have led to the drownings. Dorset Police said it was keeping an "open mind" about the circumstances that led to the deaths.

On 6 June 2023, all boat operations to and from Bournemouth Pier were suspended pending the conclusion of the police investigation.{{Cite news |last=Couzens |first=Jo |date=2023-06-06 |title=Bournemouth beach boat operations suspended after deaths |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-65823704 |access-date=2023-06-06}} Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick defended the work of his force investigating the “complex” incident.{{cite web |last=Robson |first=Steve |date=2023-06-05 |title=Everything we know about Bournemouth beach deaths after families pay tribute to victims |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/bournemouth-beach-deaths-latest-updates-everything-we-know-tributes-paid-2386408 |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en}}

On 27 June 2023, investigators said that no boat was involved in the incident. The Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) said it would now not be pursuing any further inquiries.{{Cite news |last=White |first=Marcus |date=2023-06-27 |title=Bournemouth beach deaths: No boat involved, investigators say |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-66032277 |access-date=2023-06-27}}

On 14 July, Dorset Police announced that no criminal offences had been committed in relation to the incident.{{cite web |last=Stafford |first=Stephen |date=14 July 2023 |title=Bournemouth beach deaths: No police action to be taken |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-66208500 |accessdate=14 July 2023 |work=BBC News |publisher=}}

In 2024, an inquest into the two deaths ruled them as accidental, and indicated that they had been caused by a rip tide. The coroner stated she was satisfied that no further measures would have prevented the deaths following an "unexpected anomaly of nature," and praised the actions of lifeguards.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-04 |title=Bournemouth Beach deaths ruled as accidental by coroner |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gl97rjzpko |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP for Bournemouth East, called on Dorset Police to give out more information for clarity.{{cite web |last=Simone |first=Carlo |date=2 June 2023 |title=MP wants more information released on beach tragedy |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/23563027.bournemouth-beach-tragedy-mp-calls-information/ |access-date=2 June 2023 |website=Bournemouth Echo}} Vikki Slade, the Liberal Democrat Leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council who had been elected on 24 May 2023,{{Cite news |last=Almroth-Wright |first=Indy |date=24 May 2023 |title=BCP council to be run by coalition led by Lib Dem Vikki Slade |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-65693032 |access-date=2 June 2023}} said she would be discussing safety at the pier with Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns on 2 June.{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Caroline |date=2 June 2023 |title=Bournemouth MP calls for police to end 'wild speculation' around beach deaths |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jun/02/bournemouth-mp-safety-review-beach-deaths |access-date=2 June 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Mathers |first=Matt |date=2 June 2023 |title=What happened at Bournemouth beach? Everything we know about incident |website=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/what-happened-bournemouth-beach-deaths-b2350380.html |access-date=2 June 2023}} Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council will be assessing safety in the water near the pier.{{Cite news |date=1 June 2023 |title=UK beach victims 'hadn't jumped or been hit by jet ski' |work=RTE |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/uk/2023/0601/1386858-bournemouth-deaths/ |access-date=15 June 2023}}

In September 2023, an art installation for the Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival was put up consisting of a 15 metre high illuminated archway.{{Cite news |date=2023-09-28 |title=Bournemouth: Gigantic glowing portal opens on resort's beach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-66933752 |access-date=2025-01-08 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} It was created by the organisation Lucid Creates.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-06 |title=Portal artwork removed from Bournemouth beach after week-long display |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/23836842.portal-artwork-removed-bournemouth-beach-display/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Bournemouth Echo |language=en}} It was controversial due to the proximity to the beach.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-28 |title=Bournemouth residents admire Arts by the Sea monument |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/23819103.arts-seas-portal-landed-bournemouth-beach/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Bournemouth Echo |language=en}} It was removed after the victims families raised a complaint with BCP Council.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-29 |title=Portal artwork on Bournemouth beach to be taken down: what we know |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/23823791.portal-bournemouth-beach-know-artwork/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Bournemouth Echo |language=en}}

As a result of the incident pleasure boats will not return to the pier for 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-08 |title=Pleasure boats ruled out from Bournemouth Pier following beach tragedy |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/24830882.bournemouth-pier-pleasure-boats-wont-operate-summer/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Bournemouth Echo |language=en}} Council leader Millie Earl announced that restoration works for Bournemouth Pier would be completed for 2026.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-01 |title=Shocking photos expose ‘true state’ of Bournemouth Pier |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/24286286.bournemouth-pier-repairs-not-completed-2026/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Bournemouth Echo |language=en}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}{{2023 shipwrecks}}{{Bournemouth}}

Category:2023 disasters in the United Kingdom

Category:History of the English Channel

Category:History of Bournemouth

Bournemouth beach incident, 2023

Category:Maritime incidents in the United Kingdom

Bournemouth beach incident, 2023

Category:2020s in Dorset

Category:Deaths by drowning in the United Kingdom