Joe Abbess, from Southampton, died on Wednesday, May 31, following an incident in the water near Bournemouth Pier which drew a massive emergency response.

In an official 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.”

Joe died along with 12-year-old Sunnah Khan from High Wycombe, who was laid to rest on Saturday. 

The pair were not known to each other. 

It is understood that more than 200 people attended Sunnah’s funeral on Saturday, which was held at the Central Mosque in High Wycombe.

READ MORE: Funeral held for girl, 12, pulled from sea in Bournemouth beach tragedy

She has been described as ‘a force of nature’ in national media outlets.

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.”

Mohammed Rafiq, a trustee at the Wycombe Islamic Mission and Mosque, is quoted by The Sun as saying: “What happened is tragic for the family. 

“There were hundreds of people who came to the funeral, the queue was overflowing.”

Police are continuing to investigate the incident, in which eight other people were rescued from the water.

A man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, but has been released under investigation.