Boat could have contributed to Dorset beach tragedy

On May 31, 2023, 11 people got into difficulty in the water, including 17-year-old Joe, from Southampton and 12-year-old Sunnah, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

Following an investigation, Dorset Police ruled the Dorset Belle pleasure boat did not contribute to the incident despite previous beliefs that it created dangerous sea conditions.

However, senior coroner for Dorset, Racheal Griffin, said in a pre-inquest review on June 19 that the propeller wash from the boat cannot be ruled out.

An expert report said rip currents are not unusual around structures such as piers or groynes but are not common at the location of the incident, east of Bournemouth Pier.

The expert said: “What occurred was an unfortunate anomaly of nature.

“A series of events that would not usually cause injury but together provided a lethal combination.”

Although, Ms Griffin emphasised the actions of the driver of the boat are not being questioned.

The court also heard the RNLI took “significant steps” during the incident and there is insufficient evidence to suggest if lifeguards were quicker that Joe and Sunnah would have survived.

“From all that I have read, the events on May 31 were sudden and unexpected,” said Ms Griffin.

“It was a quickly evolving incident with a number of casualties, 11 involving Sunnah and Joe.

“Emergency services responded without delay and saved many lives that day and it is very tragic that the lived of Joe and Sunnah were lost.”

She added that she understands the concern over the amount of time it took to recover Sunnah and that an exact time of death cannot be established.

Ms Griffin said Sunnah had been with her aunt and brother when she was swept away by the current.

She said: “The fact that they could not locate her is indicative of the difficulty in finding out what happened to her and what direction she went until she was sadly found and recovered.”

A full inquest into Joe and Sunnah’s deaths will be held on September 24.