HEARTBROKEN friends of a Southampton teenager who died off Bournemouth beach have paid tribute to him.
The group of friends from City College Southampton said 17-year-old Joe Abbess was "taken away too early".
The trainee chef passed away in hospital following an incident in the water near Bournemouth Pier on Wednesday, May 31.
Joe's friends at the college described him as a "kind, caring, and bright" young man, adding that things would not be the same in college without him.
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One of Joe's closest friends at college, Ben McKinnon, 17, told the Echo: "He was always amazing, very kind, very caring, he would always look out for others.
"He was just an amazing person all round, very kind-hearted, well-rounded young man and he had a bright future ahead of him.
"I think it's a shame that it was taken away from him so early.
"He was a very social person.
"The first couple of days were really hard because it was such a shock.
"I was worrying all day about where he was because I hadn't had a response in eight hours and normally he was the type of guy to respond straight away.
"I kind of felt it was coming from the signs, but when it finally hit it was a very rough time."
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Jack Daniel-Woodcheevers, 16, said: "He was very bubbly, he was always very interactive with everyone.
"He would try and make an effort with everyone even if you were having a bad day, he would always be there for everyone."
He added: "I just didn't believe it at first."
Jack Wells, 17, said: "I miss him so much, he was such a big part of this family at college and he's going to leave a massive hole in our hearts.
"It doesn't feel right, I am still in disbelief.
"I am going to miss Joe a lot, he was a big part of us.
"[Joe] was very, very bubbly, he was always happy, there was never a day when you would see him looking sad or feeling miserable."
Leo Bennet, 20, said: "He definitely had pride in what he did, he bought all of his own tools and he made sure that he had resources that he would share with us.
"It was clear that he was a very ambitious man and he knew what he wanted to do.
"To lose him is a shame because it's kind of take a part of the kitchen away and we don't have that motivation anymore."
City College Southampton's principal Martin Sim told the Daily Echo that the college has "lost a wonderful lad", adding that staff and students are "devastated".
He said: "As a college, we are completely devastated at the loss of Joe and we pass onto the family our heartfelt commiserations and sadness for them.
"We have lost a wonderful lad, a talented boy, someone who had been inspired by his love of catering at his previous school.
"He came to us and he brought that passion with him and displayed it in his everyday work.
"Joe was a wonderful student, he's been described as talented, creative, good inner-strength, someone you can get on with, a vital asset.
"That sense of loss comes across when people take about him."
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Joanne Pengelly, curriculum manager of service industries at City College Southampton, said: "Joe was a gem and there are few and far between.
"His passion for hospitality, the industry, he wanted to go on and have his own restaurant, his interest, he just absorbs everything, he was so popular because of his enthusiasm.
"He was just a lovely, genuine lad that had a lot of opportunity in front of him which is why it is so heartbreaking to see it taken away like it is"
She added: "We're all in a state of shock.
"We can't believe that such a popular, loveable student has been taken in such tragic circumstances.
"Our thoughts go out to the family, I just can't believe it's happened."
The college is offering support to students and staff who has been affected by the loss of Joe.
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