Young man remembered after tragic river death downstream from the Bowen River Weir

A 19-year-old who was known for “putting smiles on people’s faces” has been remembered in heartfelt tributes after he was tragically found dead in a North Queensland river.

The Bowen River weir. Picture taken by John Andersen.

A 19-year-old who was known for “putting smiles on people’s faces” has been remembered in heartfelt tributes after he was tragically found dead in a North Queensland river.

Zachary Beauchamp, from Collinsville, has been identified as the young man at the centre of a desperate early-morning search after he failed to return to a campsite in Springlands, located in the Whitsunday Region.

Police said the 19-year-old man was reported missing around 3.45am on Saturday.

Tributes are flowing for Zachary Beauchamp, 19, after his tragic death during a camping trip in Springlands. Picture: TikTok/@ez_panda_ez

A co-ordinated search and rescue mission was quickly launched, with officers and emergency crews scouring the area near the Bowen River Weir.

Just hours later, at 7am, their worst fears were realised when he was located unresponsive and deceased in the water downstream.

His sudden death has rocked the tight-knit Collinsville community, with an outpouring of grief flooding social media as friends and family grapple with the devastating loss.

“Fly high Zach. You will be missed. You were always putting smiles on people’s faces even when they didn’t feel like smiling, party hard up there,” one friend’s emotional tribute read on Instagram.

“You will always have a place in everyone’s heart always and forever Zach.”

Another wrote: “Love you so much Zachy, we miss you dearly.”

Police are preparing a report for the coroner, with investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death ongoing.

Originally published as Young man remembered after tragic river death downstream from the Bowen River Weir