THE death of a schoolgirl who drowned alongside a teenage boy at Bournemouth Pier could have been caused by a boat, an inquest has heard.
Sunnah Khan, 12, and Joe Abbess, 17, died when a horror riptide saw 10 people rescued from the sea at the popular beach on May 31.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/said-decided-carry-full-inquiry-828018199.jpg?strip=all&w=678)
Sunnah Khan, 12, died after horror unfolded at Bournemouth Pier almost five months ago[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/dorset-belle-pleasure-cruise-sails-822016152-1.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/undated-handout-photo-issued-city-823065214.jpg?strip=all)
Budding chef Joe Abbess, 17, was also killed in the water tragedy[/caption]
In the hours after the tragedy unfolded police were seen scouring over the pleasure boat Dorset Belle.
A man was also arrested on suspicion of manslaughter but he was released and no charges were laid.
A pre-inquest has now heard how the 78ft boat could not be ruled out as the cause of young Sunnah’s death.
Opening the hearing yesterday, Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin said she would be asking experts to probe the role the Dorset Belle played in the 12-year-old’s death.