A mum has died after being pulled from the sea at Southbourne beach in Bournemouth amid the UK heatwave, with paramedics performing CPR before she was pronounced dead at the scene
A mother has tragically lost her life at Southbourne beach after being rescued from the sea by bystanders. On Monday 22 June, police were alerted to the popular seaside spot following reports of a medical emergency. A beach hut owner sounded the alarm after allegedly witnessing a woman suffering a medical episode while in the water with her son.
He stated that members of the public were swift to intervene and assist the woman. Onlookers report seeing paramedics carrying out CPR as emergency services – including a helicopter – raced to the bustling seafront, according to the Bournemouth Echo.
A Dorset police spokesperson said: “At 2.21pm on Monday 22 June 2026, Dorset Police were called to assist with a medical emergency at Southbourne promenade to clear an area to enable emergency services to attend safely. Sadly, a short time later a woman was pronounced dead at the scene.”, reports the Mirror.
They added: “Her next of kin is aware and the coroner has been notified. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
A South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) spokesperson said: “We were called at 14:17 hrs on Monday 22 June to an incident near Boscombe. We sent two double-crewed land ambulances, an air ambulance, a rapid response vehicle and an operations officer to the scene.”
As thousands of Brits flock to the seaside to bask in this week’s scorching temperatures, The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday due to extreme heat and humidity. Amber warnings have also been put in place.
The weather forecaster has indicated that during this week’s heatwave, parts of England and Wales are likely to experience temperatures surpassing 37C in the shade, potentially even reaching between 38C and 40C in some areas.
Almost 100 regions will be impacted by the severe weather conditions, with people being advised to avoid sun exposure between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is at its most intense.
May’s record-breaking temperatures brought tragedy across the UK, with a series of accidental drownings leaving families and communities nationwide heartbroken. A total of 19 individuals, including 13 children, tragically lost their lives in open water during the heatwave.
Swimming in rivers, lakes or the sea can pose unexpected risks, even for strong swimmers. The Royal Life Saving Society warns that 90 percent of accidental drownings over the past five years have occurred in open water.