Tributes paid to Joe, 24, who died in friend’s arms
‘Loving son’ killed in scooter crash in the Philippines
TRIBUTES have been pouring in to an “incredibly funny, witty and loving” son from Hinckley who died in his friend’s arms following a motor scooter crash in the Philippines.
Joseph Gilchrist Branson, 24, was travelling around Asia with friends when he was killed in a scooter accident in San Juan, Siquijor, Philippines, on August 23.
His family said debris from roadworks may have caused him to fall off his scooter and hit his head on a sign.
He died in the arms of one of his best friends, Joe Rock, from Burbage.
His mum Abigail Gilchrist, 63, of Woodland Road, Hinckley, said: “Joe was loving, witty, he lived for today and he made people laugh constantly.
“He had a real good sense of humour, he made everyone smile and laugh.
“He was just a young boy who wanted to enjoy life and go travelling and we’re completely devastated that he’s gone.
“He had just bought tickets to move onto the next island and I was going to meet him in Thailand for my birthday on September 9. “It is a tragic, terrible accident.” Joe had been travelling around South East Asia with girlfriend Ria Timbrell, from Hinckley, and friends since April.
The music fan worked as a director at his mum’s firm thebase2be, a community service which supports people with learning and physical disabilities in the town.
He attended Holliers Walk Primary School before moving onto the former Mount Grace High School, John Cleveland College and the Nuneaton campus of North Warwickshire and Hinckley College.
Scores of friends have also paid tribute to the “unforgettable” and “hilarious” man.
Mark Timms, 27, who has flown back from China to pay his respects, said: “Joe was venturesome, troublesome, intoxicating and hilarious. There was never a dull moment with him, never a dull night with him, never a dull dance floor with him and never a dull Subway with him.
“A friend through everything. You are unforgettable Joe.”
Sam Harrison, 26, Leicester Tigers scrum-half, added: “Everyone loved him, he had so many friends. He just had this ability to make people smile and laugh.
“We used to go to raves in Birmingham together and skateboarding. I’ve known him for eight years and he will be deeply missed by all.”
Joe Taylor, 27, said: “Joe was open minded, intelligent and hilarious. One of the least prejudice people you could ever be lucky enough to meet with a personality as large as his frame.”
Kurt Stavrou, 26, added: “He brought happiness to wherever and whoever he was with. There was never a quiet five minutess with him.”
Mum Abigail and dad Richard thanked his friends, family and Joe Rock’s family for being “incredibly supportive”.
She said: “Words cannot describe how we feel about all of the people who have supported us and said lovely things about our son.
“It means everything to us to know he was so well loved and liked by all.
“Thank you to everyone.”