Dusk vigil for Qld shark attack victim

Family and friends of a young Queensland man killed by a shark in the state's far north will gather at dusk to honour his life with a candlelight vigil.

Daniel Smith had just graduated from high school and was enjoying a holiday outing with his mates when he was mauled at Rudder Reef, north of Port Douglas, on Monday.

The 18-year-old sustained massive injuries to his right upper leg, right groin and right upper arm, and suffered a heart attack, likely from blood loss. He died despite the best efforts of his friends to save him.

Those friends will gather along with the teenager's family in Port Douglas on Wednesday evening to remember him.

Hundreds of people are expected at Sugar Wharf in the tourist town, where flowers will be cast into the sea and candles lit in Daniel's memory.

It's understood Daniel, from the nearby sugar cane farming town of Mossman, was spearfishing when he was attacked.