Zenith Beach drowning victim identified as Raj Kumar Bohora

A Nepalese man has been identified as the tragic victim of a drowning at a Port Stephens beach, with fundraising underway to return his body home to his mother.

A Nepalese man died on Zenith Beach, Shoal Bay, April 14, 2025 after he was pulled from the water by five brave teenagers. Supplied.

A campaign is underway to send the body of a Nepalese man who tragically drowned at a Port Stephens beach back home to his mother who he had not seen for seven years since setting out to forge a new life in Australia.

Raj Kumar Bohora is being remembered as a bright, kind-hearted young man trying to build a better future for himself before his life was tragically cut short on Monday at one of the Hunter Region’s most notoriously dangerous beaches.

Along with another man from Nepal he went for a swim at the unpatrolled Zenith Beach near Shoal Bay on Monday to mark Nepali New Year.

It was just one day short of Mr Bohora’s 25th birthday when he lost his life despite frantic efforts and 36 minutes of CPR.

Thanks to the valiant efforts of five teenagers his friend was saved and rushed to John Hunter Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.

Rajkumar drowned at Zenith Beach at Port Stephens on April 14.

His cousin Sakhina Adhikari KC has launched a campaign to repatriate his body to Nepal so his mother can see her son one last time.

“What makes this even more heartbreaking is that his mother– his only parent – has not seen him in the last seven years,” he said.

Djuandet Kalischer (left), Kaewen Blaine (middle) and Xavier Fing (right) who raced to help the two Nepalese men.

“Rajkumar was her only child, and she raised him alone with immense love and sacrifice.”

Already, almost $17,000 has been raised, with funds to go directly toward repatriation costs, including transportation of his body, legal and embassy costs, and funeral arrangements in Nepal.

“No mother should have to go through this, but the least we can do is make sure he returns home to her,” his cousin said.

High school friend Ujjwal Dhakal described him as an amazing soul.

“It’s hard to believe but one of the most amazing souls has been taken away from us -– we stayed together when we first arrived Ain ustralia – rest easy brother, you’ll be missed beyond words.”

Got a news tip? Email: [e-mail].

Originally published as Zenith Beach drowning victim identified as Raj Kumar Bohora