York boxer Cameron Shaw drowned while snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef

Cameron Shaw, 25, was found floating in the sea, off the coast of Cairns in Australia, on Monday, October 24 this year and pronounced dead at the scene.

Assistant Coroner Jonathan Leach said the provisional cause of death is drowning caused by immersion in water, when he opened an inquest into the death at Northallerton Coroner’s Court this morning.

He added: “Mr Shaw was on a snorkelling trip in Australia, failed to return to the boat and was found floating in the sea a short time later.

“Death was confirmed at the scene.”

The inquest has been adjourned until a later date while the investigation continues. Queensland Police have said his death is being treated as non-suspicious.

More than £20,000 has been raised to help Mr Shaw’s family fly his body back to the UK, after a gofundme page was set up by Chloe Ridsdale.

She wrote: “Cam was the most genuine, selfless, kind hearted, strong, independent person you could ever wish to meet.

“In the 25 years he spent on this Earth he achieved so much and completed a lot of his life dreams, including snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef where he sadly passed away.

“No one will ever be able to fix the hole that's left in all of our hearts. But to raise money on behalf of Cam and to get him home and put to rest is something we all wish for so dearly.”