By Boyd Robertson

Hundreds of people turned out at the Sugar Wharf in Port Douglas on Wednesday afternoon to farewell 18-year-old local Daniel Smith, who was killed in a shark attack on Monday. 

Daniel had been spearfishing at Rudder Reef, 20 kilometres offshore from Cape Tribulation, when the attack occurred. 

He had just graduated from Mossman State High School. 

Family, community members and total strangers all packed out the Sugar Wharf but it was Daniel’s close-knit circle of mates that offered perhaps the most touching farewell as a circle of them raised their drinks and called “cheers” simultaneously. 

Daniel’s motorbike, a photo and flowers were placed at the Sugar Wharf, where he was pronounced dead on Monday at midday. 

Balloons bearing messages for Daniel were also released, floating out over Dickson inlet toward a magnificent cloudy sunset. 

More than 1200 people signed up to the Light a Candle For Daniel Facebook page, showing just how far the tragedy of his death had reached, not just throughout the Port Douglas community but further afield. 

Close friend Jade Harold had been a classmate of Daniel’s since they were small children and said it was truly touching to see how the community had turned out to support his family and loved ones. 

“It’s good that there’s so much support here in the community - everyone loved him and it shows,” she said. 

“He was just the happiest person you’d ever meet. I’m always going to remember his cheeky grin and his sense of humour.”