The two teenagers who died off Bournemouth beach drowned in a suspected riptide, an inquest has heard.

Joe Abbess, 17, from Southampton, and 12-year-old Sunnah Khan from Buckinghamshire both lost their lives last Wednesday.

They were rescued from the sea but both died in local hospitals.

Dorset Coroner’s Court heard today how a Home Office post-mortem concluded that Joe and Sunnah’s cause of death was drowning.

There had been a ‘suggestion’ that they became trapped in a riptide – strong, undercurrents that form when waves pile up on the shore.

Coroner’s officer Nicola Muller said: ‘The brief circumstances are that emergency services were contacted by members of the public following swimmers had come into difficulty in the water, following suggestion they had been caught in a riptide.’

Senior coroner Rachael Griffin said: ‘I understand there is an ongoing police investigation, despite that, I have already submitted the appropriate paperwork and released both Joe’s and Sunnah’s bodies for the purposes of their funerals.’

‘It’s very important people do not speculate on the circumstances surrounding Joe and Sunnah’s deaths and allow the police investigation to proceed, which will allow my investigation to proceed,’ Griffin added.

The inquest was adjourned and a pre-inquest review will be held on September 18.

Dorset Police have dismissed speculation that Joe, a trainee chef, and Sunnah jumped from Bournemouth Pier.

They were from separate groups visiting the beach, the force confirmed, on what was an especially ‘busy’ day on the beach. Eight other people were pulled from the water.

A man in his 40s, believed to be ‘on the water’ at the time, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter but has since been released under investigation.

Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Corrigan said ‘We are working with experts from partner agencies to understand all of the factors and this will take time to establish.

‘We continue to support the families of Joe and Sunnah and they are being kept updated by specially trained family liaison officers about our investigation.

‘I would ask that the police investigation is allowed to continue without further unhelpful speculation around circumstances of the incident and that there is respect for the families of those who have died so tragically.’

Sunnah’s mother, Stephanie Williams, described her daughter as ‘well-loved and well-liked’.

‘No parent should ever have to go through what her dad and I are going through,’ she tweeted. ‘We love you so much, baby girl.’

Joe’s family said he was a ‘fabulous young man’ and a ‘wonderful son and brother’ who dreamt of becoming a chef.

‘We were privileged to have him in our lives for 17 years,’ they added, ‘and we are so sorry he will never fulfil his dreams and ambitions.’

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