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A British backpacker fell to her death from a clifftop selfie spot in Australia after an all-night party with friends.

Model and make-up artist Madalyn Davis, 21, is believed to have scaled a fence around the Diamond Bay cliffs in Sydney to watch the sunrise and take pictures before plunging almost 100ft on to rocks below.

Emergency services were called at around 6.30am yesterday. An air and water search was launched, and her body was recovered four hours later.

Marine Rescue New South Wales said they were called “after a group of people taking photos inside the fence regathered and could not find the woman”.

New South Wales Police said: “An investigation is under way into the circumstances surrounding her death.”

Ms Davis, from Lincoln, had been travelling around south-east Asia before arriving in Australia a few weeks ago.

Her mother, Rebecca Smith, had been desperately trying to track her down after failing to hear from her yesterday.

Footage obtained by television networks in Australia appears to show a group of people walking along a road in Sydney’s eastern suburbs yesterday morning, before scaling a fence at the popular location. One member of the group can then be seen peering over the edge.

Ms Davis had been at a party in Vaucluse on Saturday night before heading to the cliffs, which are a hotspot for tourists taking photographs close to the edge. A 27-year-old woman also fell to her death there in August.

Devastated friends today said Ms Davis had been “living her dream” in Australia, describing her as an “angel” and a “free spirit”, and calling her death an “absolute tragedy”.

Jessica Wray wrote online: “I really don’t know how to process this. I will never ever forget the times we shared together the giggle fits we had in town. I will forever miss you, angel.” Cerys Phillips called her the “most beautiful, inspiring and funny people I had the pleasure to call my friend”, adding: “I’m so glad you were able to experience travelling the world like you said you would.”

Jord Salthouse told of his “shock and heartbreak”. He wrote on Instagram: “Less than two hours before this happened we was partying and having the time of our lives, living our dreams. You was always the life of any party and could make anyone smile. Absolute joy to party with, someone who brought smiles and laughter to everything we did, and someone that has left us way too soon.”

On December 14, Ms Davis told her friends she was having the “best time” travelling, with no plans to return to Britain. Councillors are now planning to hold talks about how to keep tourists away from the beauty spot.