Yahoo News Bournemouth beach deaths: Onlookers ‘filmed CPR attempts on their phones’
Onlookers at the beach in Bournemouth where two people died on Wednesday were reportedly filming victims receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), according to eyewitnesses.
A 17-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl sustained “critical injuries” at Bournemouth beach and later died in hospital, while eight other people were treated for injuries that were not life-threatening.
Nicola Holton, 43, who was on the beach with her husband and children when the tragedy unfolded shortly before 4pm, said that some people were “ignoring” lifeguard requests to get out of the water and clear the beach while the victims were treated.
She said: "There were loads of idiots ignoring lifeguard requests to get out of the water and clear the beach. People were running towards those having CPR filming on their phones."
Screens were put up around those being treated but surfer Tom Saunders said they could still be seen.
He told Sky News: “Unfortunately I saw someone receiving CPR, the lifeguards put up a screen so no-one could see but unfortunately from where we were we could.”
Dorset Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances leading up to the incident, but have ruled out any physical contact between a vessel and any swimmers.
Watch: Boy, 17, and girl, 12, die following incident off Bournemouth beach
A man aged in his 40s, who was “on the water” at the time, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, according to police.
Families who have arrived at the beach on Thursday have spoken of their shock at the previous day’s events.
One woman, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s such a shame, people just come here to have fun during the half term, it’s a real tragedy.”
Read more: Everything we know about the Bournemouth beach incident
According to one eyewitness, several jet skis were on the water close by at the time of the incident.
RNLI lifeguards rushed into the sea to rescue eight other children who were at risk of being swept away by a sudden and strong undercurrent.
An 18-year-old swimmer spotted the 12-year-old girl floating in the sea and helped recover her to the beach where she was given CPR.
The body of the 17-year-old boy was then spotted washed up close to the shoreline and lifeguards and an ambulance crew attempted to save him.
They were both airlifted to hospital where they were later pronounced dead.
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."
