Bondi balcony plunger trying to handstand

A friend of Sydney identity Adam Freeman was trying to do a handstand when he fell about 10 metres from a balcony railing in Sydney's east, cracking a vertebra and fracturing his eye socket.

The son of late underworld figure George Freeman told the Seven Network he thought his mate had died after falling from the North Bondi balcony on Sunday.

"He was doing, like, a balancing act on the balcony. Next minute he's just fallen over," he said.

Freeman, who pleaded guilty to making $3 million worth of ecstasy last year, said he ran downstairs to try to help the man.

"We're best mates. We've know each other for 10 years, we were just having a laugh around," he said.

Carlo Davids is now recovering in St Vincent's Hospital.

Freeman was questioned by police after the fall but no charges have been laid.