BBC · Jun 19, 2025
Mum calls for water safety classes after son's death
BBC News
Reporting fromSouthampton
"If Joe survived he would want people to know the dangers," Vanessa Abbess saidThe mother of one of the two children who drowned off Bournemouth beach has called for water safety to be taught in classrooms.
Vanessa Abbess's 17-year-old son Joe died on the same day as 12-year-old Sunnah Khan in May 2023.
Earlier Mrs Abbess listened to a backbench debate led by Southampton Itchen's Labour MP Darren Paffey about water safety.
The Minister for School Standards Catherine McKinnell said the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill "will once implemented extend the requirement to teach swimming and water safety to all state-funded schools".