Lion dancer dies after Sydney accident

Chinese lion dancer Tommy Jin Au Yeung has been remembered as a funny, talented man following his death from injuries suffered while rehearsing in Sydney.

The 19-year-old was standing on a fellow performer's shoulders at practice with the Chinese Youth League's lion dancing group at Haymarket last Tuesday and was preparing to leap to a platform when he fell heavily.

He hit his neck on a metal platform, known as a pole in lion dancing, and died in intensive care at St Vincent's Hospital over the weekend.

Videos of him perfecting the move that ended his life had been posted on social media throughout the year.

"After a month of hard work with my partner Jonathan, we finally performed our first poles," he wrote.

Aside from his passion for the traditional Chinese dance, Mr Yeung was an aspiring rapper who posted his street battles and solo material online.

The death has rocked the 20-odd members of the lion dancing troupe.

Colin Lau remembered the teen as an extremely funny and light-hearted man.

"He was a very talented and promising lion dancer who unfortunately had his life cut short by a freak accident," he wrote on Facebook.

"Please send your thoughts and prayers to him for the next life."

Another friend remembered Mr Yeung's impressive rapping skills.

"Rest in peace Tommy, the room lit up whenever you entered and you never ceased to amaze with your rapping talent," Jason Sheridan wrote.

"(Chinese Youth League) will never be the same without you."

The Chinese Youth League has been a cultural institution in Sydney for 75 years and is behind the traditional lion dancing performances for Chinese New Year celebrations in the city centre.