Two 17-year-olds have tragically lost their lives in a double drowning incident.
The heartbreaking tragedy took place on Sunday (January 19) when a young girl, identified as Honor Ward, reportedly fell from a waterfall at Wappa Falls, Queensland at around 2:30PM and failed to resurface, according to PEOPLE.
Her male friend, Beau Liddell, heroically jumped into the water to “assist” in locating the girl but did not return, per a news release by Queensland Police.
Authorities launched a search and rescue mission at around 2:50PM local time, involving the Queensland Fire Department and police divers.
Forty minutes later, emergency services located Honor unresponsive and deceased. Hours later, at 7:25PM, police divers discovered Beau’s body.
The teenagers were both former students of Sunshine Beach State High School.
Beau’s father, Adam Liddell, expressed the family’s devastation, saying, “The whole family is just a mess.” He also reflected on his son’s bravery, adding: “That’s the type of person he was. He never thought of himself first.”
Honor’s friend, Phoebe Loynd-Andersson, shared similar sentiments about her, saying, “She was just always there for everybody, no matter what she was going through herself. She just wanted to be there for other people and she would encourage people.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Beau’s family cover funeral costs, raising around $12,426AUD so far.
The funds will go directly to “paying for the costs associated with his funeral service and a wake in his honor,” the description read.
“Beau was a beautiful, creative, and kind 17-year-old boy with his whole life ahead of him. Beau’s bravery and courage in his last moments will never forgotten,” the page states. “Beau’s family are incredibly grateful for any contribution that you can make.”
Wappa Falls has a tragic history, with at least five fatalities reported at the swimming spot since 2007.
Per Sky News Australia, signs at the site warn visitors of “heavy currents, deep water, and submerged boulders,” and caution that “conditions here are unpredictable.” Recent heavy rainfall in the area may have worsened the dangerous conditions.
Adam Liddell has called for increased safety measures at the site, telling ABC: “There could be a lot more done than a couple of little signs that say ‘dangerous water.’”
The area remains closed while police investigate the incident. Officials will prepare reports for the coroner regarding both deaths.
Our thoughts are with Honor and Beau’s family and friends at this time.
