DORSET and Somerset Air Ambulance has shared a heartwarming tribute leading up to the one-year anniversary of the Bournemouth beach deaths.

Joe Abbess, 17, and Sunnah Khan, 12 passed away at Bournemouth beach on May 31 last year after the pair drowned in a suspected rip current.

In a loving tribute to her son, Joe’s mum Vanessa wrote: “Joe was enjoying a lovely day at the beach with his friends before the tragedy unfolded and our lives changed forever.

“I dropped him at the station that morning to meet his friends and get the train to Bournemouth; we could never have imagined that he would not be coming home.

"Joe was a wonderful son and brother who is so dearly missed and we are all heartbroken and devastated by his death.

“Our 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.

“We were privileged to have him in our lives for 17 years and are so sorry that he will never be able to fulfill his dreams and ambitions.

Eleven people were rescued from the sea that day but Joe and Sunnah died following an incident in the water.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance were deployed to the incident along with police, fire service, RNLI, and the Southwestern Ambulance Service.

After the tragic incident, a fundraiser was held at Snap Fitness in Southampton where Joe regularly worked out.

The event raised £5,319 for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance who cared for Joe in his last moments.

Further donations were raised from Joe’s obituary/funeral and supported Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (£1,716) and the RNLI (£1,543).

Vanessa added: “As we attempt to navigate life without Joe, we hope to help others in his memory by telling his story.

“I feel that through educating people about the unpredictability and ferocity of the sea, lives can be saved.

“We would like to thank the team at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance who tried incredibly hard to save Joe on that tragic day.

“We will always be grateful for this and the ongoing support they provide to our family and Joe’s friends.”