Inquest into Bournemouth beach drownings begins today

17 year old Joe Abbess and 12 year old Sunnah Khan died last May

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 24th Sep 2024

The inquest gets underway this morning into the deaths of two children who drowned off Bournemouth beach.

17-year-old Joe Abbess from Southampton and 12-year-old Sunnah Khan from High Wycombe died after getting into trouble next to the pier in May 2023.

A pre-inquest hearing in June heard how the rip current which led to their deaths was "an unfortunate anomaly of nature".

An expert report also found that that the presence of the Dorset Belle pleasure boat was part of a “series of events” that “together provided a lethal combination”.

The coroner was clear to stipulate though - the actions of the skipper are not in question.

The inquest will look at the events leading up to and during the tragedy which also saw eight others treated by paramedics.

It's expected to last three weeks, at Dorset's Coroner's Court in Bournemouth.

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