Less than a month before his death, Josh Furber tweeted "Australia well and truly has my heart and soul".

The 20-year-old, a construction student at Leeds Metropolitan University, had been enjoying life in Bondi for months, constantly speaking about his love for Sydney and posting pictures of friends he called his "Australia family".

But on Sunday, when Mr Furber was with friends exploring one of the most picturesque landmarks in NSW, the Wentworth Falls waterfall, in the Blue Mountains, he lost his footing and tumbled 50 metres to his death.

Friends on Facebook have been paying tribute to Mr Furber, from Runcorn, Cheshire, and the UK newspaper the Daily Mail released his name.


Acting Inspector Ian Colless, the coordinator of the Blue Mountains police rescue squad, said the fall happened off the walking track, but the British national had not jumped any railings.

"The area where he's fallen from is unrailed and unfenced," Acting Inspector Colless said.
Acting Inspector Colless said it appeared he had lost his footing.

"It's a waterfall area, so it's slippery and muddy, it's very unstable."

Mr Furber's sister said on Facebook: "My bestest friend and my brother, things won't ever be the same. We are heartbroken and we won't ever get over this. Words can't describe how much I miss and love you Josh!"

One friend wrote: "Still in shock. Shows you're here for a good time, not a long time! The world's lost a really great lad and a top mate. Josh Furber, rest in peace mate."

Another said: "Too many too young, Rest in peace Josh Furber. Good lad with a good soul. I hope you find the peace we spent [our] whole lives lookin for. God bless ya lad x"
On a tribute page, friends in the UK said they were gathering together for memorials.

"You knew how to live your life to the fullest! You achieved a lot for the short life you lived, travelled the USA and got to see the amazing Australia," one friend wrote.
"You chased your dreams and you lived the dream."

A relative wrote: "Couldn't be prouder of him and everything he achieved, an amazing nephew, son, brother, grandson, cousin, friend and so it goes on ... Just amazing in general, love u so much Josh."

A witness told the ABC on Sunday that she saw a group of friends mucking around on some rocks and told them to be careful.

"Then they went down to the next one and I knew something was going to happen," Rosa Petroccitto said.

"We just saw them all panic and a 20-year-old boy fell over 100 metres down the waterfall.
"[It's] pretty sad, very unfortunate."

Several newspapers in the UK have covered the story, with some recalling other incidents involving Britons in the the Blue Mountains.

In December 2000, Paul Marshall, 27, from Leicester, plunged off the waterfall at Wentworth Falls while paddling in a rock pool.
Police officers said his friends looked on in horror as he tried to hold on, before plummeting to his death.

In July 2009, Londoner Jamie Neale was found near Katoomba after surviving 12 days lost in the bush.