‘Kind and generous’ boy, 17, named as victim alongside girl, 12

Tributes have been paid to a “wonderful” 17-year-old boy who died following an incident at Bournemouth beach last week.

Joe Abbess, from Southampton, died from his injuries after the incident off of Bournemouth Pier last Wednesday, in an incident that also claimed the life of a girl, 12. Eight people were pulled from the water alive.

In a statement, his family 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.”

A funeral has been held for the girl, named locally as Sunnah Khan, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

“There are no words to describe the hole she has left in all of our hearts but we will remember her every day for the rest of our lives,” a friend of her family said.

The two victims were not known to each other.

A man in his forties was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter but has since been released while police continue making enquiries into the circumstances of the tragedy.