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Australian diplomat falls to his death after New York balcony ‘trust game’

An Australian United Nations diplomat has died after falling from a New York building. Pictured: UN headquarters in New York.

An Australian United Nations diplomat has died after falling from a New York building. Pictured: UN headquarters in New York. Photo: Getty

An Australian diplomat has died after accidentally falling from a New York City balcony while playing a “trust game” with friends.

Julian Simpson, 30, a second secretary to the United Nations for Australia, fell to his death from the seventh floor of his apartment building on the Lower East Side in the early hours of Wednesday (US time).

Investigators said Mr Simpson had been playing a “game of trust” when he lost his balance on the balcony railing, according to reports.

Mr Simpson, his wife and friends had returned from a night of drinking to admire the view of the Empire State Building, which was lit up in rainbow colours to celebrate Australia’s gay marriage vote, The New York Post reported.

Julian Simpson

Australian UN diplomat Julian Simpson (far right) died after falling from a NYC balcony. Photo: Global Voices

The newspaper said Mr Simpson had climbed to a higher part of the rooftop and swung a female friend around, before playing a “trust game” where he leaned over the ledge as his friend would stop him from falling.

A 24-year-old man, the husband of the woman Mr Simpson had been swinging around, confronted Mr Simpson who insisted he meant no harm, the sources reportedly said.

Mr Simpson then suggested playing the trust game to prove his goodwill, and began leaning back from the balcony railing for the other man to catch him.

“I will prove it that you can trust me. Let’s play the trust game,” he said to his friend, The New York Post reported.

The man reportedly told investigators he put his arms out to catch Mr Simpson, but he slipped and subsequently fell to his death from the seventh floor down to a landing on the second floor.

Mr Simpson was rushed to the Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital but was pronounced dead soon after.

Police said no criminality is suspected and the investigation is ongoing.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull described the death as a “shocking tragedy.”

“It is a tragedy,” Mr Turnbull told Sunrise on Thursday morning.

“Our hearts go out to his family. I can’t provide any more details at this stage. It’s a shocking tragedy – a young life lost.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said she was deeply saddened to hear of Mr Simpson’s death.

“Julian was a diligent, professional and highly skilled diplomat, whose support I valued, particularly during UN Leaders’ Week,” Ms Bishop said in a statement.

“He will be remembered as someone dedicated to the service of our nation as a member of Australia’s foreign service.”

Watch Stephanie March’s report for the ABC

Fellow diplomats also expressed shock over Simpson’s death.

“RIP my dear friend, Julian Simpson. Shocked and saddened,” Tajikistan diplomat Jonibek Hikmatov wrote on Facebook.

“My prayers go to the Australian mission to the UN and his family.”

UN ambassador Henry Leonard MacDonald sent his best wishes to Mr Simpson’s family.

“What a tragedy at the UN. My sincere condolence to the wife, family members and Mission colleagues of this Australian diplomat.”

– with AAP

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