Bournemouth beach – ‘Heartbroken’ family of second victim Joe Abbess, 17, pay tribute to ‘loving and caring’ chef
TRIBUTES are pouring in for the “loving and caring” teenager who died alongside a schoolgirl in Bournemouth this week.
Joe Abbess, 17, has now been named as the boy who tragically got into trouble in the water at the popular beach with 12-year-old Sunnah Khan.
The pair were among 10 youngsters who had to be pulled from the sea as the horror unfolded.
Tributes are now flowing for the Southampton teen who is being remembered as a “fabulous young man”.
His family today said: “We are heartbroken and devastated at the death of our Joe. He was a wonderful son and brother who is sadly missed.
“His family and friends will always love him and we are incredibly proud of the fabulous young man he was. He was kind and generous, loving and caring, hardworking and funny.
“Joe was a talented trainee chef, with a bright future ahead of him. We were privileged to have him in our lives for 17 years and we are so sorry he will never fulfil his dreams and ambitions.
“He was enjoying a day at the beach on Wednesday and we would like to thank his friends and all of the emergency services who helped him, when this tragedy unfolded.”
It was revealed yesterday that Sunnah, of High Wycombe, Bucks, was swimming with her brother when tragedy struck.
She died alongside Joe after they got into difficulty by the town’s pier.
They were among 10 youngsters overcome by giant waves thought to have been caused by a passing boat.
Tributes poured in for Sunnah yesterday.
A family friend said: “She will be missed by everyone, she was very popular and her death will leave a hole that will be impossible to fill.
“She had so much more to look forward to. She was an angel.”