A 13-year-old boy who fell to his death in the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney has been remembered by his school community as a polite, friendly student who was a "delight to have in class".
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Archie Hunt started at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, a selective boys' school in Tamworth in the New England region of NSW, as a year 7 student this year.
But, during his short time at the school, he had made a positive impression on his classmates and teachers, Clint Gallagher, the school's relieving principal, said.
Mr Gallagher said students' parents had been informed of Archie's death on Sunday, during the first weekend of the school holidays.
Archie was visiting the QVB shopping centre with his family about 3pm on Sunday and was believed to have been playing on a stair railing, possibly trying to slide down it, when he lost his balance and tumbled over the edge.
He fell up to 30 metres to the ground inside the northern stairwell of the building and suffered critical head and chest injuries.
He died later that afternoon in the Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick.
"There is no more difficult or tragic event than the death of a child," Mr Gallagher said.
"Our sincere condolences and deepest sympathy are extended to the Hunt family.
"Tributes to Archie have been flowing from our school family, who have been remembering him fondly as a really lovely young man who has made a real impact in the two terms he spent at our school.
"Archie is remembered as an enthusiastic, energetic student who was a delight to have in class. He was polite, respectful, friendly, and mixed well with others.
"I am told how much Archie enjoyed school, especially agriculture and rugby union."
Archie played in the under-13 juniors with Merewether Carlton Rugby Union Club, and was in Newcastle watching the rugby at the weekend before travelling to Sydney with his family.
Stephen Reid, the president of the rugby club, said Archie's teammates were shocked and devastated to learn of his death.
"We're absolutely devastated and will do whatever we can to support Archie's family and his teammates affected by this tragedy," Mr Reid told the Newcastle Herald.
"He's played with the current under-13 juniors for the past two seasons and was excellent in the backs."
Mr Reid said junior and senior players would wear black armbands at their July 11 games in a mark of respect and remembrance to Archie.
Police have described Archie's fall as a "heart-breaking accident", and officers are preparing a report for the coroner.
The QVB stairwell, showing how far Archie Hunt fell. Photo: Nick Moir
