Australian UN diplomat falls to his death from balcony after 'trust game' goes wrong

Prime Minister says death is 'shocking tragedy'

Julian Simpson had gone with his wife and friends to the apartment building roof to look at the Empire State Building lights (Afton Almaraz/Getty Images)

An Australian United Nations diplomat accidentally fell to his death from the roof of his New York City home after playing a risky game of trust, police and local media said.

Julian Simpson, 30, had gone with his wife and friends to the apartment building roof to look at the Empire State Building lights.

The building was lit up in the colours of the rainbow in recognition of Australia's same-sex marriage vote.

Mr Simpson had swung another woman around and her husband had become angry, police said.

The men went on the seventh-floor apartment terrace, and Mr Simpson offered to prove he was trustworthy by playing a "trust game," going to the ledge and leaning back.

Mr Simpson grabbed for the other man's hand but slipped and fell to a second-floor landing, authorities said.

He was taken to the Mount Sinai Beth Israel hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was assisting Mr Simpson's relatives, who asked for privacy.

Malcolm Turnbull, the Australian Prime Minister, said the death of Mr Simpson was a "shocking tragedy."

"Hearts go out to his family," Mr Turnbull told Australia's Seven Network television.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.