'It's a terrible tragedy': Friends mourn loss of Kiwi who fell to death from Brisbane balcony in freak accident

  • 20/02/2019
Matty King's body was found on February 10 after he had tried to enter his apartment by the balcony.
Matty King's body was found on February 10 after he had tried to enter his apartment by the balcony. Photo credit: Matty King / Facebook

A huge smile, positive attitude and an avid traveller who lived each day to the fullest is how friends remember a New Zealand real estate agent who fell to his death from a Brisbane balcony.

Friends of Matty King told Newshub the 29-year-old was locked out of his apartment and tried to climb up onto the balcony to get in when the structure broke and he fell. 

"It's something that any of us would do or have tried and it’s a devastating reminder that life is too precious to take those risks," Mitch Lowe told Newshub.

'It's a terrible tragedy': Friends mourn loss of Kiwi who fell to death from Brisbane balcony in freak accident

By "absolute bizarre" chance both his girlfriend and his flatmate were away and his body was found on the grounds of the Teneriffe unit complex on Sunday, February 10.

The freak accident has come as a great shock to those who knew him. Mr Lowe - who had known Mr King for about 13 years - described him as "one of the most vibrant people you will ever meet."

"Matty lived his life to the absolutely fullest. He was the definition of making the most of our days."

Mr King was born in Canada before moving to New Zealand where he attended St Kents and Howick College.

'It's a terrible tragedy': Friends mourn loss of Kiwi who fell to death from Brisbane balcony in freak accident

He was a "consistent traveller" and always on the move but had spent the last year in Brisbane where he had settled down with his girlfriend and was working as a real estate agent.

Mr Lowe said Mr King didn't have his key on him so had to go around the back of the complex and try climb onto his balcony to get in. 

 "I think it's important that people remember how dangerous something like that could be."

Ray White New Farm principal Haesley Cush told 7 News the whole team was "just absolutely devastated" to learn of his passing.

'It's a terrible tragedy': Friends mourn loss of Kiwi who fell to death from Brisbane balcony in freak accident

"Matt was a talented agent, was well loved by everyone in the team and was a genuinely all round great guy," he said.

"It's a terrible tragedy."

Friends, family and colleagues said goodbye to Mr King at a service in New Farm on Friday. A second memorial will be held in Auckland this Saturday.

Newshub.