Bournemouth beach survivor was 'swimming with pals when rip tide took them out'
The father of a survivor of the Bournemouth beach tragedy in which two people died says his daughter was dragged out to sea by the rip tide.
A 17-year-old boy, from Southampton, Hampshire, and a girl, 12, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, were pulled from the water before being rushed to hospital where they were pronounced dead.
The circumstances remain unclear, however police have confirmed a man in his 40s was detained after the horror incident on North Beach yesterday.
During a lunchtime press briefing today, assistant chief constable Rachel Farrell also confirmed the victims were not related and not known to each other.
Lauren Tate, 18, who has been named as a survivor by her dad, is now home after being rushed to hospital.
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Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Farrell (centre) during today's press conference (PA)Her dad told MailOnline : “We’ve seen all the stuff about boats and jet skis but it wasn’t like that. She was swimming in the sea with her friends when the rip tide took them out.
“She was lucky to get pulled from the sea by the coastguard and one of her other friends was rescued by a paddleboarder.
“I know the boy who died was at college with her, but I don’t know anything about him. All she told me is that they all met up on the train and headed to Bournemouth beach for the day.”
Earlier today police said there is "no suggestion" anybody jumped off the pier prior to the tragic deaths of two children in the sea.
The two victims suffered 'critical' injuries in the incident and during a lunchtime press briefing today, assistant chief constable Rachel Farrell confirmed the victims were not related and not known to each other.
Police officers patrolling in the Dorset resort (PA)She said she could only give a limited amount of information with the case active but said she was keen to avoid further speculation.
She added: “It is clear yesterday, a number of people already in the water got into difficulty and we are investigating the circumstances or event that caused that to happen.
"Early investigation indicates that there was no physical contact between a vessel and any other swimmers at the time of the incident.
"I can also confirm there is no suggestion of people jumping from the pier or jet skis being involved."
A large group of teenagers had been tombstoning off the Victorian pier into the water at the time while others were swimming under it.
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According to one witness, several jet skis were on the water close by at the time.
A warning sign near people playing in the sea (PA)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 lifeless 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.
According to witnesses there were no obvious injuries on either victim and police have confirmed that there was no physical contact between them and any water craft.
But police have launched a criminal investigation into the deaths and are continuing to question the arrested man for manslaughter.
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