Two mothers whose children drowned offJoe Abbess, 17, from Southampton, and Sunnah Khan, 12, from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, drowned after they were caught in what was thought to be a riptide next to Bournemouth Pier last May.Now, their mothers Vanessa Abbess and Stephanie Williams, have shared their stories as part of a campaign run by the charity the Royal Life Saving Society UK .
"I think it's an element of responsibility that everyone does need to think about. There is dangers in any water and as such the more awareness we can raise the better."The pair want to encourage people to have conversations about water safety with their families to help people stay safe in open water.
Speaking about the rise, Matt Croxhall, Royal Lifesaving Society UK, said: "It might be that we have had some significant warm weather events, heatwaves that has led to that partly. He added: "If you yourself find yourself in trouble in water then assume that starfish position, try and get on your back and float naturally. Conserve that energy and that will help you buy those valuable seconds and minutes to await rescue."Vanessa Abbess said her son "was a nice, caring, considerate young man" who looked after his family and friends.