HEART-WRENCHING tributes have been paid to a “kind and gentle” young man who died suddenly after becoming ill outside a Southend nightclub.

Former Greensward Academy pupil William Moss collapsed outside Chameleon, in Lucy Road, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Although nightclub workers, paramedics and doctors battled to save the 22-year-old’s life, he later died at Southend Hospital.

His devastated family believe Mr Moss, of Hockley, died after possibly taking MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, and used social media to beg friends to think about their own drug use in the wake of his death.

Sister Livvy Moss said: “At 6:38 this morning my brother died. He died because of taking a stupid ******* pill on a night out.

“He stopped breathing for a total of about 25 minutes, he had to have his heart restarted twice.

“I ask that everyone seriously assesses their use of drugs, it has taken his life at only aged 22. My life has been turned upside down.

“Please if you haven’t already today, tell your family that you love them.”

His mum, Lisa Moss, also made reference to the possibility that drugs were involved.

She said: “One pill. Once. That’s all it took to take my baby boy from me.”

Will’s close friend Luke Baker, from Hadleigh, said he was with Will when he became ill and held his hand as doormen battled to save his life.

He said: “Will was an amazing friend, for the short time that I knew him and I loved his stories, especially about the lady who gave birth in his car.

“I would like to wish his family all the best in this troubled time, as you can tell from the loving comments that Will has got he will be truly missed. Amazing young man with lots of stories, plans and a massive heart.”

He added: “Thanks for the memories.”

Shocked friends added their own thoughts about Mr Moss, who worked at Royal Bank of Scotland.

Writing on Facebook, Matthew Aitken said: “I was in Will’s form for two years and worked with him when he joined the admin team at Greensward.

“There was never a more kind and gentle young man as William. His one liners were legend! I am so sorry.”

Abigail Wilson said: “I’m in absolute bits.

“He was such a great guy. I’m so, so sorry. There aren’t words enough to say how much Will will be missed.”

Terry Aitcheson said: “Everyone who works with Will is going to be shocked and upset, he was a very well-liked member of a very big team, and a genuinely nice lad.”

Lauren Sear said: “William was such a kind-hearted lovely man, condolences to all your family.”

Jordan Randall added: “I went to school with Will he was a good friend of mine, I’m so sorry for your loss. He was a good kid shame he had to go so young.”

Echo:

Police investigating possible drug death

POLICE are investigating the death of a young clubber as a “possible drugs death”.

William Moss, 22, collapsed outside Chameleon nightclub in Lucy Road in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Dick De Vigne, who owns Chameleon, Talk and Dick De Vigne’s in Warrior Square, said: “Whilst Mr Moss’s cause of death remains unknown we are mindful of the considerable distress that must be felt by Mr Moss’s family and friends and have no wish to exacerbate their suffering by participating in any speculation about the cause of his death.

“We do not intend to make any further comment at this time, but stand ready to assist with and provide maximum co-operation to any proper investigation into his tragic death from the little that we know of the events leading up to his sad death.”

An Essex Police spokesman said a file had been passed to the coroner’s office.

The Echo asked whether any bad batches of drugs had been recently reported in the area.

The spokesman said: “Essex Police has not had any reports of any concerns with the quality of illegal drugs which may be circulating in the Southend area.

“The sad death of the man in his twenties is being investigated by Essex Police as a possible drugs death. Tests will be needed to establish what, if any, drugs were in his system when he passed away.”

A Southend Council spokesman said: “We will of course assist the police in their investigation into this tragic death if we are asked to do so.

“We will await the outcome of that investigation before considering if any action by the council is appropriate or necessary.”