Tributes flow for Victorian teen Charlie Scott after balcony tragedy

Montmorency teenager Charlie Scott, left a chilling message on social media just moments before he fell from a balcony on the Gold Coast. It comes as family and friends remember him as “one of the best blokes you would ever meet”.

A teen who fell from a balcony during Schoolies celebrations on the Gold Coast has been remembered as a “great kid” who was “well respected” among his peers.

Montmorency 18-year-old Charlie Scott died after he fell from the Hilton Hotel tower in Surfers Paradise about 2.30am.

Friends are ‘heartbroken’ over Charlie Scott’s tragic death. Picture: Facebook

Charlie Scott, pictured with friends, has been described as a ‘great kid’. Picture: Facebook

Cousin Daisey Whelan posted a tribute on Facebook.

“Rest in Peace, Charlie,” the tribute said. “Thank you for being such a good cousin and I will cherish all the memories we have made growing up.

“I am completely heartbroken, you will forever be in my heart.”

The Hilton Hotel. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Friend George Valodimos, 18, told the Herald Sun Charlie was “one of the best blokes you would ever meet”.

“He was someone you could have a laugh with. He was a great kid, very joyful, he was always willing to help people out,” he said.

“There is nothing but good we can say about him. He was always so positive. He was always willing to help people out. He was the last person to do this.”

Charlie studied at Parade College in Preston until year 11 and left in mid 2018 to become an apprentice electrician.

“We used to play UNO in class together, it was great,” Mr Valodimos said.

“You don’t get an apprenticeship from being a slacker — he was hard working.

“He seemed passionate about his trade, you respect someone who is driven like that.

“It is hard because he had his life set up.”

Charlie Scott, 18, died at Schoolies overnight. Picture: Facebook

Police outside the Hilton Hotel. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Charlie left a chilling message on his snapchat story about 2am simply saying: “goodbye”.

The message prompted concern from many of his friends who tried to call and message him.

“People put two and two together and started calling and texting him, but there was no response,” said Mr Valodimos.

“I got phone calls from friends at 3am telling me to get down to the Hilton. There were kids everywhere bawling their eyes out.”

In his spare time Charlie umpired football in the Northern Football and Netball League and was said to be “up and coming”.

Floral tributes were laid on the ground on Orchid Ave where Mr Scott died.

Friends sign a football in tribute to Charlie Scott.

“He was a great kid, friendly and social,” Northern Umpires Association president Dan Henery said.

“The only way to sum it up is that it is tragic. You don’t see things like this coming.

“It has come out of the blue for us. He was always pushing himself on the track, he was at the top of the group, he had a career ahead of him. He was a great umpire.

“He was well respected. He was a great young kid, well liked.

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“It is a tough day for us. He was just a normal teenager. For me it is sad, we are a tight knit group.”

Schoolies on the Gold Coast are expected to hold a minute of silence on Cavill Ave at 8pm.

Floral tributes were laid on the ground on Orchid Ave where Mr Scott died.

Parade College students wrote messages on footballs.

“Fly high brother,” one read.

Another said: “Love you like a brother man.”

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Originally published as Tributes flow for Victorian teen Charlie Scott after balcony tragedy