Son and father drown at popular Cairns waterfall

Friends have paid tribute after two men drowned at a popular waterfall in north Queensland, as the son tried to save his father in the water.

Family and friends of a father and son are in mourning after the pair were found dead at a waterfall near Cairns.

Sisira Gajanayake, 59, and his son, Themiya Gajanayake, 21, were on holiday, visiting the popular Crystal Cascade swimming hole with a group of 18 people when tragedy struck.

Mr Gajanayaka, a veteran bus driver from Dandenong, east of Melbourne, got into trouble while swimming on Tuesday afternoon.

Themiya rushed to help save his father’s life, but both men drowned.

Themiya Gajanayake, 21, was reportedly helping his father out of the water at Crystal Cascades before the tragic double drowning on Tuesday.

A Queensland Police spokesperson said officers were called to the waterfall, west of Cairns, at about 5pm after receiving reports of two swimmers “struggling to get out of the water”.

“The men aged 21 and 59 were located in the water unresponsive and declared deceased a short time later,” the spokesperson said.

Water rescue crews and two pump trucks were also involved in the operation.

Sisira Gajanayake, 59, and his son were found unresponsive. Picture: Facebook

Family friend Nakula Premaratine said the tragedy unfolded when conditions at the swimming hole rapidly changed.

“We all went for a swim and then suddenly the water level [went] up and his son jumped in to save him,” he told 9 News.

“But unfortunately, they both couldn’t be saved.”

Mr Premaratine, who described his friend as “very kind-hearted”, said the men’s deaths have come as a huge shock to the local Sri Lankan community.

The pair, from Melbourne, were with a group of people visiting Crystal Cascades, Freshwater Creek Cairns, when the tragedy unfolded. Australia. Picture: iStock

Mr Gajanayaka’s other son, Gomiya, who was at the scene when the pair drowned, said his dad “was the most selfless, amazing person” he has ever known, and his brother was “beautiful and full of life”.

“[Dad] was always helping with community fundraisers and events and going out of his way to help those less fortunate. He loved his family and always wanted the best for us,” he said in a statement on Wednesday, 7 News reported.

Police officers and QAS paramedics attended the scene. Picture: Brendan Radke

Swift water rescue crews and two pump trucks were involved in the operation, before the men were found and pulled unresponsive from the water.

Gomiya described his brother, a talented musician and an avid Collingwood fan, as “a hero” for trying to save their father.

“He [lit] up everyone’s day and made us all laugh when we were down. I’m the luckiest person to have had him as a brother,” Gomiya said.

“I’ll now look after my sister and mum for you just as I know you’ll look after Dad for us.”

Sisira, a veteran bus driver, was described as ‘very kind-hearted’ while his son was described as ‘beautiful and full of life’. Picture: Facebook

Social media has been inundated with tributes for the father and son following the heartbreaking tragedy.

“Heard very shocking news yesterday evening. Good-hearted and loving people gone too soon. May the lovely friend and lovely son attain Nibbana [Nirvana],” a friend wrote on Facebook.

“Dear brother Sisira. The sudden demise of you and your beloved son is very sad to us, but brother, goodbye to you and your son,” another wrote.

Andrew Cornwall, managing director of Ventura Bus in Melbourne where Mr Gajanayaka worked for more than eight years, also shared his deepest condolences.

“Our thoughts are with Sisira’s family and his work colleagues from Melbourne that were holidaying with Sisira in Cairns at the time of this tragic incident,” Mr Cornwall said.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding their deaths.

In 2014, an 18-year-old died at the popular Crystal Cascades swimming hole after he slipped and fell and the following year a 28-year-old man also lost his life at the waterfall.