'Crass' display at Bournemouth beach to close after parents of Joe Abbess and Sunnah Khan complain
The parents of two children who drowned at Bournemouth beach have been offered an apology for a 'crass' art installation which has been created near where the youngsters died.
Joe Abbess, 17 and from Southampton, and Sunnah Khan, 12 and from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, drowned after they were suspected to have been caught in a riptide next to the pier at the seaside resort on 31 May.
A gigantic glowing archway was installed on the beach on Thursday evening (28 September).
The 15-metre structure was erected as part of the town's 'Arts by the Sea Festival'.
Lined with pink and blue lights, the structure was due to be in place until 4 October.
But BCP Council has confirmed the installation is to be closed, after Joe Abbess and Sunnah Khan's parents complained the arch framed the area of the sea where their children died.
Vanessa Abbess, Joe's mother, described it as "disrespectful". She said in a statement: "As a family, we were shocked and astounded to see news reports of the disrespectful 'Arts by the Sea' installation at the Bournemouth beach yesterday.
"The 'Portal of Hope' was badly located and thoughtless, as it frames the area of sea where our son Joe and Sunnah Khan got into difficulties.
"In addition, it is sited on the area of beach where emergency services cared for all casualties on May 31 and the tragic circumstances unfolded. This is not a suitable area to celebrate the sea or to place a tourist attraction.
"We emailed BCP Council, as owners of the beach, to express our distress and upset yesterday evening. We fully appreciate that this project may have been planned for many months, but due to the tragic circumstances and ongoing inquest, we feel this (is) entirely unsuitable and plans could have been easily adjusted in the last 17 weeks.
"Last night, Graham Farrant (council chief executive) confirmed the installation would be immediately shut down/relocated. We are grateful that BCP Council have acted so quickly, but feel with a little consideration and respect to Joe, Sunnah and both families, this could have been avoided."
Stephanie Williams, Sunnah's mum, added: "Myself and Ness just thought it was a little insensitive to place a piece of art at the site where our children were aggressively resuscitated not four months earlier with seemingly no consideration for how we would feel upon seeing it or even given a heads up to expect to see it there.
"I obviously respect that it is a public place and people are free to enjoy it as such but it was a little upsetting to hear it be described in the news by a member of the public as a “like a portal of hope” when that is the place where our children died.
"I had no issue with it being on the beach front when I expressed my upset to BCP along with Ness, I had no expectation that they dismantle it or remove it, I just wanted to make my feelings known. I think moving it further down the beach is completely acceptable. And I thank them for their swift response."
In a statement, Graham Farrant, Chief Executive of BCP Council, said: “We are deeply sorry for such a crass mistake which clearly should never have happened.
“We have extended an unreserved apology to the families for causing further upset at what is undoubtedly already a distressing time.
“Work is underway to close down the installation and we will review our internal processes to understand how this happened and what changes need to be made to avoid this from happening again.”
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...