Young Adelaide man Daniel Heritage dies in shock accident in Canada

A 28-year-old Valley View man is being remembered as a thoughtful and loving adventurer, after the trip of a lifetime turned to tragedy while “living his best life in Canada”.

Daniel Heritage and wife Emma were on a hiking holiday in Canada. Picture: GoFundMe

A young Valley View man has died in his wife’s arms on a trip of a lifetime in Canada.

Daniel Heritage, 28, and his wife Emma were seven months into their gap year adventure when tragedy struck in Calgary on October 5.

Mr Heritage’s family has confirmed his death, describing it as an accident, but did not disclose the circumstances.

Older sister Brianna Heritage paid tribute to not only her brother but best friend sharing memories of road trip singalongs board game losses and camp shenanigans.

“Even though you were younger you were always the one that looked out for me,” she said.

“You inspired me to be more than I was. When I was sad you would let me crawl into your bed. When I was down you would always know the right thing to say. You’re still the person I come to for advice.”

Daniel Heritage and Emma on their wedding day in 2018. Picture: Supplied by family

Younger sister Rebecca Heritage has remembered Mr Heritage as a man with the “kindest heart, most infectious smile and strongest morals” who was “living his best life in Canada”.

“You were the best big brother I could have ever asked for,” Ms Heritage said.

“Now who’s going to cyber stalk any new potential man in my life and give me their entire personal/professional background in the space of 5 minutes?”

Ms Heritage described her protective older brother as “wise beyond his years” and an ambitious entrepreneur.

“He had so many goals and he was the type of person that fulfilled his dreams and lived life to the fullest,” she said.

“He loved his wife Emma so much, I never saw him as happy as he was when he was with her.”

Before his death Mr Heritage, an engineer, shared on LinkedIn that he and his wife were taking time away from their careers to explore another part of the world.

“Over the next 12-24 months, I will be taking time to pursue hobbies and passion projects that I haven’t previously had the opportunity,” he wrote.

“This includes rock climbing in the Canadian Rockies, becoming a more proficient skier, building on my photography skills, and by the end of this trip I aim to have lead-climbed a frozen waterfall.”

Daniel Heritage Picture: supplied by family

Daniel Heritage and Emma on their wedding day in 2018. Picture: Supplied by family

The couple, who were married in 2018, had finished building a home before they left for Canada.

Mrs Heritage’s twin sister, Jessica Bartel, said her sister had witnessed the accident and held her husband in her arms as he died.

Mrs Bartel told the Advertiser her brother-in-law was an extension of her and her twin’s strong bond.

She said the young couple shared a passion for outdoors and were always camping, fishing, skiing, kayaking and rock climbing.

“He felt like my brother way before they got married,” she said.

“Any long weekend you’d find them on an adventure.

“One thing I loved most about him was the way he cared for others. You always felt heard by him.”

She said her father was currently on his way to Canada, to support her sister.

Mrs Bartel, who has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to assist with funeral costs and other expenses, said her father was on his way to Canada to support her sister.

The fundraising effort has surpassed $19,000, with an original goal of $10,000.