Brit boxer, 25, dies snorkelling in Australia as family begs for answers

A 25-year-old former boxing champion from the UK has died while snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Cam Shaw, 25, died on Monday while snorkelling during a holiday in Cairns, Queensland, with his girlfriend and two friends.

Family and friends have been left devastated after a former professional boxer died while snorkelling in Australia.

Mr Shaw, from York, was described by his devastated father Rod as "a gregarious, helpful and convivial guy - who threw his all into everything he did."

Rod, also from North Yorkshire, said the family "didn't realise just how popular he was until now."

He continued: "We don't know exactly what has happened, but we know that Cam has drowned and the investigation is still ongoing.

Tributes have been paid to former professional boxer Cam Shaw who has died (The Northern Echo / SWNS)

"He was a strong swimmer - I taught him to swim at Water World in York when he was aged two and a half and he reached up to nine out of a possible eleven levels."

Mr Shaw won the Amateur Boxing Association's Elite 60kg title in 2018, and the gold medal at the prestigious Hivdovre Box Cup in Denmark the year before.

His professional career was put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic. His Dad said he won all five fights he did and also was a fully qualified ski instructor in Switzerland.

Billy Wilson, head coach at York Boxing Club where Mr Shaw trained, said: "I knew Cam very well and it's a huge shock. Nobody expects anybody to die at the age of 25.

Family and friends have been left devastated (The Northern Echo / SWNS)

"He was a vibrant kid, full of beans, always joking and laughing, he was a good lad, a hard worker and lived his life to the fullest."

He had just spent a season in New Zealand and he wanted to see one of the seven wonders of the world - the Great Barrier Reef.

Queensland Police said: "Investigations are underway into the circumstances surrounding his death, however, it is believed non-suspicious.

"Queensland Police will prepare a report for the coroner after the body of a man was located at a reef off Cairns at about midday on Monday."

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: “We are providing consular support to the family of a British man who has died in Australia.”