College friends pay tribute to trainee chef who died in beach tragedy
Joe Abbess drowned off Bournemouth beach
Friends of a Southampton teenager who died after getting into difficulty in the sea off Bournemouth beach have paid tribute to him.
Students at City College Southampton said trainee chef Joe Abbess, 17, was the "life of the kitchen".
Joe from Southampton, and Sunnah Khan, 12, from Buckinghamshire, were rescued from the sea during the incident on Wednesday, but both died in hospital.
An inquest heard that they died from drowning after a "suggestion" that they got into difficulty by getting caught in a riptide.
Ben McKinnon, one of Joe's best friends at City College Southampton, said: "He was the most brilliant, genuine and inspiring person I have ever met.
"Joe was a dear, dear friend of mine and an even bigger inspiration.
"I will never be able to express how much of an impact Joe has had on me and the others around him.
"A funny, endearing and kind young man with a bright future ahead of him."
Leo Bennett and Jack Wells, who also studied alongside Joe, said: "Before half term, we worked together in the kitchen on a real catering event.
"He had so much talent and was very good at his job."
Jack added: "Joe was the life of the kitchen."
City College Southampton's principal Martin Sim said: "We send our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the two young people who lost their lives.
"We are providing professional support to our students and staff through this difficult time."