Britsh rugby player, Charlie Williams drowned after jumping off a waterfall at an

Australian beauty spot when his friends piled on top of him.

Charlie Williams, 24, was enjoying the sunshine at Behana Gorge swimming hole,

south of Cairns, when the group of friends he had met at a nearby hostel decided to

start sliding down the natural rock formations.

The 24-year-old, who lived in Aylesbury, Bucks., was pursuing his dream to be a

musician and a DJ in Australia when disaster struck.

Coroner Alison McCormick was told how he was the first of his group to jump off the

waterfall at around 5pm on April 10 this year – before three or four others swiftly

followed him into the cold and dark water.

Australian Coroner Nerida Wilson said: “The others followed Charlie a split second

behind him and landed on top of him. When the others came to the surface they

noticed that Charlie was not there.

“Another man dived down to try to find him. They could not locate him and it was

approximately five minutes before Charlie was found by another man in the group.

The hearing at Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court in Beaconsfield was told that some

of his friends, who Charlie had met at the Mumma’s Hostel in Cairns, ran three

kilometres down to the end of the gorge to get help.

Ambulance crews sped to the scene but despite their best efforts, Charlie was

declared dead just before 7pm.

Concluding the inquest, Ms McCormick said: “I am satisfied that Charlie’s death was

not suspicious and no-one intended him to come to any harm.

“It is not clear why or how Charlie came to drown during what should have been a

fun-filled afternoon of adventure in a beautiful location. Charlie’s death was a tragic

accident and even more terrible for Charlie’s family as it happened so far away from

home.

“I agree with the Australian coroner that this was an accident and there that will be

my conclusion.” After his death, his friends and family paid tribute to him.

Bicester Rugby Union Football Club posted: “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.

“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.”

Oxfordshire Rugby Football Union wrote: “Our thoughts are with Bicester RUFC and

the family and friends of Charlie Williams, who has died in a tragic accident in the

Behana Gorge, Cairns, QLD.”

The beauty spot where Charlie died, located just 30 minutes from Cairns, features

swimming holes, breathtaking views and waterfalls that flow into a deep granite

gorge.

Brit rugby player, 24, drowned after jumping off waterfall