A TEENAGER who died alongside a schoolgirl in the Bournemouth beach tragedy has been described as "loving and caring" by his heartbroken family.
Joe Abbess, 17, got into trouble in the water at the popular beach, as did 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.
Read more on UK news
“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.
Most read in The Sun
A tragic final photo of her smiling on the beach was snapped just moments before the horror unfolded.
Tributes poured in for Sunnah following the devastating incident.
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.”