Bodies of teenage boy and girl found in Dorset beauty spot

Two teenagers were found dead in a Dorset beauty spot.

Bodies of a teenage boy and girl were discovered near Bridport in Dorset shortly after 10am on Tuesday.

Dorset Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and their families have been informed.

Mayor of Bridport Ian Bark said shock had gripped the rural community following the tragic deaths.

He said: “My sympathies go out to the friends and families of these young people.

“It’s very sad to hear that two people who are both so young have died.”

Among the Bothenhampton residents, Joe Hackett told The Dorset Echo: “It’s an awful thing to happen and we have never had anything like this happen around here.

“It’s very upsetting and the community can’t believe what has happened. It’s the last thing you expect to happen in such a quiet community.

“It will likely leave the area in shock for some time because there has only been rumours about what happened. Our community has not had confirmation.”

A spokeswoman from Dorset Police said: “At 10.11am on Tuesday, 25 January we received a report of two people, a girl and a man – both in their late teens, having been found dead at Wych Hill.

“To be precise, the location given was Bothenhampton Reservoir, Wych Hill.

“Officers attended. There are no suspicious circumstances. Their next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified.”

Dorset Police has referred itself to the independent police watchdog over the matter.

“Dorset Police has made a mandatory referral to the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) in line with procedures related to the death or serious injury of an individual,” a spokeswoman added.

“We await further guidance from the IOPC on the matter.”