Mums renew safety call on beach deaths anniversary

Sunnah Khan, 12, and Joe Abbess, 17, both drowned on 31 May 2023

The mothers of two children who drowned near a busy beach have renewed calls for better water safety awareness on the anniversary of the tragedy.

Sunnah Khan, 12, from High Wycombe, and Joe Abbess, 17, from Southampton, died in the sea near Bournemouth Pier on 31 May 2023.

Joe's mother Vanessa Abbess said the sea went from "calm to ferocious in moments".

Sunnah's mother Stephanie Williams said: "Every year when it gets warm, children drown and it's preventable. It's not enough to know how to swim. You need to know what to do."

Vanessa Abbess (left) and Stephanie Williams said children should learn how to cope with emergencies in the water

The children were in the water at about 15:45 BST when the sea state changed, according to swimmers.

Mrs Abbess said: "They were in a safe swimming zone on a lifeguarded beach and Joe was waist-high.

"Joe's friends told me suddenly the waves went crazy... and they were being pulled apart. The sea was very, very strong."

Ms Williams said: "Sunnah was five foot six (168cm) and she was just up to her chest. She was in the water with her siblings and her aunty.

"They couldn't touch the bottom suddenly. They tried to swim back to the shore but they kept getting further away."

A previous inquest hearing was told there was a "suggestion" a rip tide had led to the drownings.

Eleven people were pulled out of the water, including the two children. Eight had to be treated by paramedics.

Air ambulances landed on Bournemouth beach following the incident

The mothers, giving their first interviews together, told the BBC there should be greater awareness of water safety techniques.

Mrs Abbess said: "Joe could swim, Sunnah could swim. Sunnah's really tall for her age. Joe was so muscly and fit. He was at the gym five times a week.

"They were strong children that were knocked off their feet. This is what frightens me that it could happen to anybody. The sea... changes incredibly fast."

She said parents should talk to children about how to float on their backs in an emergency.

The mothers said they were working with the Royal Life Saving Society, which publishes advice on sea safety.

The council has set aside a space, east of Bournemouth pier, for people to leave flowers and tributes to mark the anniversary.

A full inquest is due to take place in September.