Tragedy as young English tourist on a working holiday visa drowns while swimming at a popular watering hole
- Charlie Williams, 24, drowned while swimming at watering hole south of Cairns
- Mr Williams went with a group of friends to the Behana Gorge on Saturday
- Paramedics were called and could not revive Mr Williams following the incident
- The 24-year-old was from the United Kingdom and living in Australia on a visa
A young English tourist on a working visa has drowned while swimming at a popular watering hole.
Charlie Williams, 24, was with a group of friends when tragedy struck at Behana Gorge swimming hole, south of Cairns, in Far North Queensland, on Saturday.
Emergency services were called to the scene and Mr Williams was pulled unconscious out of the water.
Paramedics attempted to revive the English national before they pronounced him dead at the scene.
Charlie Williams, 24, (pictured, in his Bicester RUFC jersey) was with a group of friends when tragedy struck at Behana Gorge swimming hole, south of Cairns, in Far North Queensland, on Saturday
Mr Williams was from the Oxfordshire region in the United Kingdom and was living in Australia on a working visa
Mr Williams was from the Oxfordshire region in the United Kingdom and was living in Australia on a working visa.
Australian police have been liaising with the UK consulate following the incident, which police are treating as ‘not suspicious’.
Tributes have poured in for the young man who has been remembered as a kind person and eager sportsperson.
Bicester Rugby Union Football Club, which Mr Williams played for back home, posted a touching photo of Mr Williams smiling with his teammates.
‘It is with a very heavy heart that I tell you that yesterday afternoon, Charlie Williams, seen here in his Bicester kit standing between George and Cam, died in a tragic accident in the Behana Gorge, Cairns, QLD,’ the post read.
‘Charlie played his senior rugby at Bicester and as a Junior at both Banbury RUFC and Chinnor RFC.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and many friends at this time.’
The Bahana Gorge is a popular spot for tourists and wildlife lovers, while locals warn the water current can be ‘dangerous’ at times.
Cairns firefighter Brant Jones lost his life after he slipped and fell during his morning walk in the area in November 2019.
The Bahana Gorge is a popular spot for tourists and wildlife lovers, while locals warn the water current can be ‘dangerous’ at times
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