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Australian diplomat dies in New York building fall | Australian diplomat dies in New York building fall |
(about 3 hours later) | |
An Australian diplomat has died after falling from a New York City balcony while socialising with friends. | An Australian diplomat has died after falling from a New York City balcony while socialising with friends. |
Julian Simpson, 30, accidentally slipped from a seventh-floor ledge of his Manhattan building and fell to a landing on the second floor, New York police said. | |
US media report he was playing a "trust game" with a friend before he fell. | |
Mr Simpson was a junior diplomat representing Australia at the United Nations. | |
Police were called to the scene about 01:00 local time on Wednesday (06:00 GMT). Mr Simpson was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. | Police were called to the scene about 01:00 local time on Wednesday (06:00 GMT). Mr Simpson was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead. |
The Australian envoy had been out with his wife and friends when they returned home to view the Empire State Building, which was lit up to celebrate Australia's same-sex marriage vote result, police said. | |
An NYPD spokesperson would not confirm reports that he was playing a "trust" game that involved putting himself at risk and relying on one of his guests to catch him. | |
"He's described as somebody who liked to play games and had sat on the balcony railing and accidentally lost his balance," Martin Brown said. | |
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the accident a "shocking tragedy". | Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the accident a "shocking tragedy". |
"Our hearts go out to his family but I cannot provide any more details at this stage," he told the local Seven Network. | "Our hearts go out to his family but I cannot provide any more details at this stage," he told the local Seven Network. |
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she was saddened by the death of Mr Simpson, who she had met recently in New York. | Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she was saddened by the death of Mr Simpson, who she had met recently in New York. |
"Julian was a diligent, professional and highly skilled diplomat, whose support I valued, during UN Leaders' Week," she said. | "Julian was a diligent, professional and highly skilled diplomat, whose support I valued, during UN Leaders' Week," she said. |
Mr Simpson had been in the US for two years. | Mr Simpson had been in the US for two years. |
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