FRIENDS and loved ones of a man who fell and drowned in Darling Harbour during the first night of the Vivid Festival have paid emotional tribute to the “greatest guy” they knew.

Brendan Hickey, an Irishman based in Randwick, died after accidentally plunging into the water at Cockle Bay Wharf at about 11pm on Friday.

Two friends jumped into the harbour fully-clothed and desperately tried to save the 34-year-old before water police arrived.

Divers recovered the body at 1:30am yesterday.

The tragic death has prompted an outpouring of grief on Facebook, with Hickey described as “the greatest guy I knew” by Suzanne Colgan.

“I cannot believe this sad news,” wrote Fiona Syombua. “Brendan Hickey (was) very happy, ever smiling, gone too soon. I will always live to remember you.”

Another friend, Joanne Pizel, wrote: “I just heard the news. Totally shocked. So terrible :-(. Can’t imagine what you are going through. Thinking of you all.”

Hickey’s family did not want to comment yesterday when contacted by The Sunday Telegraph but believe his death was an accident.

Police said there was no suggestion of “skylarking” with witnesses saying they heard a splash and then saw a man in the water.

It has not yet been established if alcohol or other substances were a factor.

“We haven’t been able to confirm (whether it was) a trip, a fall or a push,” Marine Area Command Acting Superintendent Joe McNulty said.

Officers are examining CCTV footage.

The frantic search for Hickey played out as the Vivid light show with blaring dance music continued with thousands of people seemingly unaware of the unfolding tragedy.

Vivid organisers said they were “shocked and saddened ... by this tragic incident and express our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased man”.

There were reports that the man was a poor swimmer, but Acting Superintendent Joe McNulty, Commander of the Marine Area Command said that has not been confirmed.

“His friends have been very emotionally affected by the incident which hasn’t helped us with the investigation to date,” he said.

“We haven’t been able to confirm a trip, a fall or a push. There is no suggestion of skylarking at this stage.

“Witnesses said they heard a splash and they saw the 34-year-old man in the water.”

A full-scale helicopter search was launched to look for the man who fell into the water and disappeared outside Home Nightclub about 11pm.

The victim’s friends, a man and a woman, dived in after him fully-clothed bef

ore water police arrived and divers entered the water and searched under the wooden pier he had fallen from.

The frantic search played out as the Vivid light show with blaring dance music continued with thousands of people besides those close by seemingly unaware of the unfolding tragedy.

“At first I thought someone had lost their wallet, and then it got really urgent with people jumping in,” Stephan Odisho said.

James Harb said “no one saw him go in but then a guy and a girl jumped in after him screaming his name. They should’ve stopped the performance.”

The enormity of the situation became apparent to those crowding the harbour’s edge as police pushed people back and an Ambulance NSW helicopter descended and shone its light into the water.

Police said they could not yet confirm if the victim was affected by alcohol or other substances until toxicology tests are undertaken.

“Our investigators are looking into events that led up to the incident , where they were during the evening,” Acting Superintendent McNulty said.

Police are keen to speak to any person who saw the man who entered the water. Investigators are also examining CCTV footage from nearby venues to determine how the man ended up in the water.