Vanessa Abbess is calling on the government to establish a dedicated water safety minister following the death of her son Joe, who was swept out to sea by a rip current at Bournemouth Beach. She is delivering a letter to 10 Downing Street alongside other bereaved families, urging policymakers to treat drowning prevention as a national priority rather than isolated incidents.
Joe Abbess, 17, from Southampton, died on 31 May 2023 after being dragged out to sea during what witnesses described as a sudden shift "from zero to absolute chaos with no warning". Sunnah Khan, 12, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, died in the same incident. Eight other people were rescued from the water.
Vanessa described the emotional toll of her son's death. "We expected him to come home at the end of that day and tragically, he didn't which is very hard to process," she said. She emphasised that Joe had been "really sensible" and was swimming in the designated safe zone close to lifeguards with friends when the rip current struck.
The campaign for a water safety minister reflects growing concern about drowning deaths across the UK. According to the National Water Safety Forum, 202 accidental drowning deaths were recorded in the UK in 2025, with 57% occurring in inland locations such as lakes and rivers. Young people aged 10 to 29 account for a significant proportion of these deaths, representing 26% of accidental drowning fatalities between 2020 and 2024.
Vanessa previously stated she had been unaware that rip currents "were a thing around the British coast" and stressed that public awareness needed to improve. She welcomed the introduction of water safety into the Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum, which became mandatory in schools across England from 1 September for both primary and secondary pupils. However, she argued that classroom teaching alone was insufficient.
"All these cases, if they're treated separately, aren't really showing the true picture. Whereas if treated in their entirety, it's a mass issue that needs to be looked at from a government perspective," she explained.
What is driving the push for a dedicated minister?
The families' campaign reflects a broader recognition that drowning prevention requires coordinated government action. In August 2026, 18 bereaved families sent an open letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham requesting a meeting and the appointment of a minister responsible for water safety and drowning prevention. The United Nations has already recognised the importance of such a role, and Vanessa said it was time for the British government to follow suit.
A 2026 report examining child drowning deaths found that 196 children aged 0–17 died by drowning in England between 2020 and 2025—an average of 33 per year—and recommended appointing a minister responsible for water safety. The report underscores the scale of the problem and the need for systemic change.
How are campaigners building momentum?
The families are working with the water safety industry, which has developed drowning prevention strategies that could be implemented at a national level.
"We would just say to the government, 'These are our stories, please stop and listen because if we're working together we can save lives',"Vanessa said.
The campaign has received backing from Darren Paffey, the Labour MP for Southampton Itchen.
"If I can feel I can stand with others and raise this for the greater good, it feels like a positive in Joe's memory,"Vanessa added.
Support for water safety reform extends beyond individual families. More than 130 organisations and campaigners backed a new UK Drowning Prevention Strategy by October 2026, indicating broad consensus that the issue requires urgent attention.
What broader context surrounds these deaths?
The deaths of Joe and Sunnah occurred during a period of record-breaking hot weather in 2023, which saw a spike in water-related incidents across England. People sought relief in lakes, rivers and coastal areas, often without adequate awareness of the dangers posed by cold water shock, currents and other hazards. Vanessa highlighted what she saw as a troubling pattern:
"I think there's an element of naivety and complacency in the country as a whole and if we can look to educate, and by telling our stories make a difference, it could really save lives because anyone can drown."
She noted that there were similar cases where preventable deaths continued to occur despite previous tragedies. The inquest into Joe's death, along with those of other young people who drowned in water-related incidents, ruled the deaths as accidental.
What happens next?
The families' open letter requests a meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham and members of the National Water Safety Forum to discuss prevention measures. No meeting date has yet been confirmed. The campaign represents an effort to transform grief into policy change, with bereaved families determined to ensure that future deaths are prevented through better education, awareness and government coordination on water safety.
Key Facts
- Joe Abbess, 17, and Sunnah Khan, 12, died after being swept out to sea by a rip current at Bournemouth Beach on 31 May 2023
- Bereaved families are calling for the appointment of a dedicated water safety minister, a role the United Nations has recognised as important
- Water safety became a statutory part of the RSHE curriculum in English schools from 1 September, though campaigners argue public awareness campaigns are also essential
- A 2026 report found 196 children aged 0–17 died by drowning in England between 2020 and 2025, averaging 33 deaths per year
- More than 130 organisations and campaigners have backed a new UK Drowning Prevention Strategy as of October 2026
