“Idiots” filmed life-saving attempts at Bournemouth Beach where a 17-year-old boy and a girl aged 12 were rescued from the sea but later died, a witness has claimed. A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after an incident off Bournemouth beach on Wednesday. The force said it received a report from paramedics at around 4.30pm on Wednesday afternoon of people requiring assistance on the beach off Bournemouth Pier. Emergency services attended the scene and 10 people were recovered from the water.
Nicola Holton, who was at the beach with her husband, told MailOnline: “One lifeguard went to rescue two swimmers struggling but he couldn’t bring them in.
“He spotted another person struggling and a second lifeguard went out to them but there were multiple people in trouble.”
She said another lifeguard was trying to get everyone out of the water and the ambulance service came to the struggling person rescued by this second lifeguard.
More lifeguards then arrived to rescue another swimmer near the pier.
Ms Holton added: “I will never ever get the image out of my head of him being brought out. They cleared the beach for the air ambulance. Then another was spotted and again brought to shore to be worked on. Absolutely horrible.”
The force said that the 17-year-old boy and the 12-year-old girl sustained “critical injuries” and later died in hospital. The other eight people were treated for injuries that are not life-threatening.
An investigation has been launched and a man in his 40s, who was on the water at the time, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
A huge rescue operation was launched with the sands around the pier having to be cleared so two air ambulances could land.
Lifeguards on the beach rushed into the water by Bournemouth Pier after reports a group of people were in difficulty in the sea at about 4.30pm.
Professor Dimitrios Buhalis told Express.co.uk: “Rescue services, lifeguards and the Bournemouth Christ Church Poole council seafront staff worked frantically to rescue the casualties and to ensure the safety of the people on the beach.
“It was a glorious day on a half term so there were many people around enjoying themselves. It is really sad that young people lost their lives and our thoughts should be with their families and friends.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan, of Dorset Police, said: “Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the young people who tragically died and we are doing all we can to support their families.
“I understand the beach was very busy at the time of the incident and I would ask anyone with information that may assist our enquiries to please come forward.
“We are at the early stages of our investigation and would ask people not to speculate about the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said what happened was a “salutary lesson” that “danger is ever present” on beaches and the ocean.
He said on Wednesday: “Thoughts with everyone associated with the dreadful events unfolding in Bournemouth this evening.
“A salutary lesson that our beaches and ocean can give much pleasure but danger is ever present.
“Thanks to the Life Guards and the Air Ambulance who we can take for granted.”
