A British teenager has fallen to his death from a high-rise balcony in Australia.

The 18-year-old fell from the building in Pyrmont, a few miles from Sydney, in the early hours of the morning.

Police say the victim, who has not been named, died at the scene and detectives are speaking to a number of witnesses to establish how he came to fall.

Acting Inspector Peter Northey, of New South Wales Police, told the Australia Daily Telegraph the teenager was sharing the apartment in Saunders Street, Pyrmont, with housemates.

He said: "They had gone to their respective parts of the apartment and he was chilling on the balcony and the next thing they know, they've heard a noise and saw him fall.


"The flatmate who saw it happen has raised the alarm and they've all rushed down and one has begun CPR.

"At this stage it is very early in the investigation but we are thinking misadventure."

Mr Northey said CPR was administered until paramedics arrived, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene in the early hours on Saturday.

He added: "His flatmates have provided statements and they're absolutely devastated, it was totally unexpected."

The man had been living in Australia on a working tourist visa and his family in the UK have been notified.