2023 Bournemouth beach incident

Bournemouth is one of the most popular beaches in the United Kingdom.[1] On 25 June 2020 during COVID-19 lockdown, a major incident was declared after half a million people descended on the beach.[2] In 2021, it was ranked the 5th best in Europe and among the top 25 in the world.[3]

At 4.07pm on 31 May 2023, emergency services were called to Bournemouth beach.[4] 10 people were rescued from the water.[5] Onlookers gave CPR to the victims.[6] A 17-year-old-boy from Southampton and a 12 year-girl from High Wycombe were pronounced dead at hospital.[7] The boy was transported to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and the girl was taken to Poole Hospital.[8]

The victims were not related.[9] Reports were made of a "rip tide".[10] Witnesses were urged not to share graphic footage of the incident online.[11] This was after reports of TikToks being filmed near the scene. The day following the beach continued to be packed full.[12]

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.[13] Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell thanked members of the public who helped people in trouble in the water.[14]

It was described as "one of the worst British seaside incidents in recent history".[15] The victims were named on 4 June.[16]

The pleasure boat the Dorset Belle was later impounded at Cobb's Quay in Poole Harbour.[17] The boat was put under police cordon.[18] The boat had reportedly not been on the water all week due to bad weather.[19] 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.[20] It was the first purpose built steel passenger boat to operate locally.[20] The Dorset Police said the impounding was "just one of several lines of inquiry.[21] On 23 June, the boat operator permanently ceased operations.[22] On 28 June it was reported that the boat had been sold.[23]

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.[24] The incident is being investigated by Dorset Police's Maritime Accident Investigation Branch and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.[25] On 2 June it was revealed that the Dorset Belle had returned to Bournemouth Pier at 4.40pm and 5.03pm.[20]

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.[21] Dorset Police said it was keeping an "open mind" about the circumstances that led to the deaths.[21]

On 6 June 2023, all boat operations to and from Bournemouth Pier were suspended pending the conclusion of the police investigation.[26] Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick defended the work of his force investigating the “complex” incident.[27]

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.[28]

On 14 July, Dorset Police announced that no criminal offences had been committed in relation to the incident.[29]

Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP for Bournemouth East, called on Dorset Police to give out more information for clarity.[30] Vikki Slade, the Liberal Democrat Leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council who had been elected on 24 May 2023,[31] said she would be discussing safety at the pier with MP Conor Burns on 2 June.[32][33] Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council will be assessing safety in the water near the pier.[34]