Children who died in Bournemouth had not jumped from the pier and no jet skis were involved in their deaths, police have said.
Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said police were conducting a “complex investigation” into how a group of ten people, including the children, got into trouble in the water in Bournemouth on Wednesday.
“It is clear, that a number of people already in the water got into difficulty and we are investigating the circumstances that caused that to happen,” Ms Farrell told a press conference on Thursday.
Dorset Police received a report from paramedics needing assistance at the beach off Bournemoth Pier at about 4.30pm after reports of a group of ten people getting into trouble in the water.
A 17-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl sustained critical injuries and later died in hospital.
Police today confirmed that the two children were not related and were from different areas. The 17-year-old boy was from Southampton and the 12-year-old girl was from Buckinghamshire.
A man in his 40s who was “on the water” at the time has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
Ms Farrell said police could not provide further details about the man or the circumstances of his arrest due to the ongoing investigation taking place.
Earlier police had also ruled out “physical contact” with a vessel had caused their deaths.
The eight others in the water were treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Ms Farrell said police were aware of videos circulating on social media and she urged people to get in touch with authorities, rather than re-share the videos.
“We know the beach was very busy when the incident occurred. I am today urging anyone who saw what happened or has any information that may assist to please come forward.”
She thanked members of the public who had tried to help people in trouble in the water, and also the wider beachgoers who cleared the way for the rescue operation.
