Bournemouth beach deaths: Sunnah Khan, 12, and Joe Abbess, 17, died of drowning amid 'suggestions' they got caught in riptide, coroner told

A 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy involved in an incident off Bournemouth beach died of drowning, a coroner has heard.

Sunnah Khan and Joe Abbess died after getting into difficulty in the water on Wednesday, while another eight people were injured. A police investigation into what happened is ongoing.

An inquest opening in Bournemouth on Monday heard that the pair had died of drowning amid a "suggestion" they got caught in a riptide.

Earlier, Sunnah's mother Stephanie Williams spoke of her heartbreak on Twitter and shared a picture of her daughter.

She said: "On Wednesday I lost my beautiful daughter at Bournemouth beach.

"Sunnah was so well loved and well liked. No parent should ever have to go through what her dad and I are going through. We love you so much baby girl."

A man in his 40s who was "on the water" at the time was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and was released under investigation on Thursday while police inquiries continue.

Police said Joe and Sunnah were rescued from the sea, but both died later in hospital.

Joe was from Southampton while Sunnah was from Buckinghamshire.

Local MP Tobias Ellwood has since criticised police over a lack of clarity, telling the BBC it led to "wild speculation" on social media.

Police said they were keeping an "open mind" about the circumstances that led to the deaths.

Dorset's police and crime commissioner David Sidwick told the BBC that while there would be a review of police communication, officers were dealing with a "complex" case.

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Searches on the sightseeing boat at the centre of the investigation continued over the weekend, as the circumstances around what happened remain unclear.

Joe's family issued a tribute to him through Dorset Police, saying: "We are heartbroken and devastated at the death of our Joe. He was a wonderful son and brother who is sadly missed.

"His family and friends will always love him, and we are incredibly proud of the fabulous young man he was. He was kind and generous, loving and caring, hardworking and funny.

"Joe was a talented trainee chef, with a bright future ahead of him. We were privileged to have him in our lives for 17 years, and we are so sorry he will never fulfil his dreams and ambitions."

Dorset Police received a report from paramedics at about 4.30pm on Wednesday afternoon of people requiring assistance on the beach near to Bournemouth Pier.

Emergency services attended the scene and 10 people were recovered from the water.