College garden tribute to student after beach death

Students at City College Southampton helped design the garden

A memorial garden has been set up for a 17-year-old who drowned off Bournemouth beach.

The tribute at City College Southampton was opened in memory of Joe Abbess, who attended the school before his death in May last year.

The teenager, from the city, was with a group of other people who got into difficulties in the water. Sunnah Khan,12, from Buckinghamshire, also died.

Joe studied hospitality at the college and the garden tribute, which includes a herb growing section, was designed by fellow students.

A charity dinner and raffle were held for the unveiling of the memorial

A charity dinner and raffle were held at the unveiling, with more than £4,000 raised for air ambulance charities.

Joe's classmates and his family attended the event, including his mother Vanessa Abbess.

She thanked everyone for the support they had shown in memory of her son.

“It was very special and truly heartwarming that everyone worked so hard to make it such a fantastic event. He would have loved it and been so proud.

"The herb garden is stunning and will be a lasting legacy," she said.

Joanne Pengelly, City College’s curriculum area manager for service industries, said: "I am so proud of all involved, thankful to all sponsors, and it has been an honour to have been a part of this special evening.

"Joe left such a gaping hole, it was so important to everyone to create a lasting legacy that can grow and develop over time.”

A previous inquest hearing was told there was a "suggestion" a rip tide had led to the deaths of Joe and Sunnah.

Their mothers are campaigning better water safety awareness.