The family of a 12-year-old girl killed in ‘dangerous’ seas in Bournemouth this week have told how she has ‘left a hole in our hearts’ as police continue to investigate the circumstances of what happened.
Officers impounded the Dorset Belle boat shortly after the deaths of the girl and a teenage boy, 17, on Wednesday, and a 40-year-old man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter has since been released on bail.
Ten people had to be pulled from the water, with the 12 and 17-year-olds receiving urgent treatment from paramedics and members of the public before being taken to hospital – where they sadly died.
The girl, who was swimming in the sea with her brother, according to The Times, was described as an ‘angel’ by family and friends, who posted glowing tributes to her on social media.
Condolences poured in for the girl, and the 17-year-old boy who also died, as police continue to probe a pleasure boat amid concerns that the pair got into difficulty in the water in the wake of a vessel.
The family of a 12-year-old girl killed in ‘dangerous’ seas in Bournemouth this week have told how she has ‘left a hole in our hearts’
The Dorset Belle, pictured on the day of the tragedy, usually offers tours near to Bournemouth pier
Police have confirmed that none of the ten are thought to have jumped off Bournemouth pier or have come into contact with a jet-ski, contrary to initial reports on social media.
Eight others were treated at the scene for minor injuries, while the 40-year-old who was ‘on the water’ at the time of the incident was taken into custody before being released under investigation on Thursday.
One relative of the 12-year-old said: ‘She was an absolute force of nature, liked by all and loved by so many.
‘She will be so sorely missed by her parents, siblings and friends. There are no words to describe the hole she has left in all of our hearts but we will remember her every day for the rest of our lives.’
Meanwhile her friends were left devastated by her death, with one posting on social media: ‘You were too young to be taken from this world. My best friend and my reason to wake up every day.’
A second added: ‘My life will not be complete without her. I feel so empty and a big hold in my heart, I love her too much for her to leave.’
The girl, thought to be from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, and the boy, from Southampton, have not been named by police, although their families are being supported by specialist officers.
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There has been an increased police presence at the beach since Wednesday’s incident
A girl of 12 and a boy of 17 were pulled from the sea after ‘getting into difficulties’ on Wednesday and later died in hospital. Pictured: Bournemouth Pier
The former owner of the pleasure boat Dorset Belle (pictured) impounded after the deaths of two children in Bournemouth said the area is ‘dangerous’
Pleasure boat the Dorset Belle, which normally cruises near Bournemouth beach, was impounded by the authorities and put under guard in Poole Harbour, police said.
The 78ft Dorset Belle operates hourly and can carry up to 80 people, but is now under guard five miles away from where it usually operates off Bournemouth Pier.
It is thought the children got into difficulty in the water off the beach, described as ‘dangerous’ by the boat’s former owner last night.
It remains unclear what exactly caused the incident, which caused RNLI lifeguards to swarm into the sea after 10 people got into trouble, but a father of one of the teenagers who survived the horrific incident said it was a ‘rip tide’ that ‘took them out’.
Issuing an update on the investigation on Thursday, Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan, of Dorset Police, said: ‘Our thoughts remain very much with the loved ones of the two young people at this horrendous time and we are doing all we can to support their families.
‘We are continuing with our investigation, which is still at the early stages, and would ask people not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the incident to both protect our enquiries and out of respect for the victims’ families.
‘Early investigation indicates that there was no physical contact between a vessel and any swimmers at the time of the incident and there is no suggestion of people jumping from the pier or jet skis being involved.
‘We know that the beach was very busy when this incident occurred. I am urging anyone who saw what happened, or has any information that may assist our investigation, to please come forward.
‘Also, I urge anyone with relevant phone footage that may assist our enquiries to submit it to Dorset Police via the Major Incident Public Portal quoting Operation Marble rather than sharing it on social media.
‘I would like to sincerely thank the members of the public who went to help the people in trouble in the water. I am also very grateful for the wider beachgoers who cleared the beach really quickly and allowed the emergency services to do their work.
‘This incident sparked a multi-agency response from a range of emergency services, including the ambulance service, HM Coastguard, the RNLI, the fire service, BCP Council and Dorset Police. All these emergency responders came together to provide a really swift and well-coordinated response and did everything they could to save lives. I thank all of those responders for their professionalism and compassion in the face of this tragedy.
‘We will have our local neighbourhood officers out on patrol over the coming days alongside our colleagues from the beach services at the local council and the RNLI. So if you have any information about the incident, or any concerns please do approach them.’
