The new leader of BCP Council, Cllr Vikki Slade has responded on behalf of the council to the tragic deaths of two teenagers in Bournemouth yesterday.

She said: “We are heartbroken to hear the news that two young people rescued at Bournemouth Beach earlier today have died, and our thoughts are with their family and all those involved in the rescue.”

In the incident a 17-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl sustained critical injuries and both later died in hospital.

Dorset Police received a report at 4.32pm on Wednesday 31 May from the ambulance service requesting assistance on the beach off Bournemouth Pier.

Emergency services attended and ten people were recovered from the water.

The other eight people were treated by the ambulance service for injuries that are not life-threatening.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident has been launched with Dorset Police working alongside the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in accordance with established protocols.

Following enquiries, a man in his 40s who was on the water at the time has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

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.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230083818. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.