Loved ones mourn Sydney man who drowned after fall from barge crane

Family and friends have come together to share their grief over the loss of young Sydney man Carl Salomon.

The 19-year-old was killed early this morning when he climbed the crane of a construction barge in Sydney Harbour before either jumping or falling 30m to the water.

He and a friend swam over to the barge from a wharf in Balmain East after a night out.

Water police and helicopters searched for hours while the teen’s mum Marianne, dad Alex and sister Helena watched from the shore.

Mr Salomon’s body was found just before 9am.

Today, friends spoke of their loss.

“He was a legend guy,” James Smith said.

“One of the nicest blokes you’ll ever meet – it just hurts that he’s gone.”

Friend Marcus Atallah said Mr Salomon had been a “top bloke”.

Mr Salomon was studying law at Sydney University.

Police said they have no doubt alcohol played a part in the man’s death, which they said was a case of “skylarking” gone wrong.