Carter Taylor cliff fall: Son ’loved and adored’, parents Paul and Robyn say

The parents of the young man who died after slipping and falling from a cliff on the weekend say they “cherished” their son, who was an apprentice working under his dad and uncle.

The young man who fell to his death on Saturday afternoon after slipping while walking on Clifton Beach’s Cape Deslacs was “cherished” by his parents and “loved and adored” by his sisters, his gutted family say.

Clarence Police Station A/Sgt Jake Sansom previously said Carter Taylor, reportedly aged 19 but who may have since turned 20, and a friend were walking off the marked trails when the Mr Taylor slipped and fell.

His friend called emergency services about 3.20pm, with Mr Carter found alive at the base of the cliff but subsequently passing away after his retrieval by a rescue helicopter.

Mr Taylor’s parents Paul and Robyn said their boy, ‘Carty’ to his friends, was “loved and adored by his sisters Ebony and Nellie, and cherished by his mum and dad”.

“Carty was a mate’s mate and full of life,” Paul and Robyn said.

“He was shy by nature but a show-off in a comfortable environment, usually around friends.

“With love and laughter, his good times included four-wheel driving, camping, motorbike riding, fishing, and his proud ‘mono’ skills (i.e. one wheel) on a dirt bike.

“He was an incredible caring and loving friend and family member.”

The Taylors said their son grew up in Orford before moving to Noosa, Queensland for a time, eventually returning home to take up an apprenticeship with Batchelor Construction Group, where he worked alongside his dad and uncle Rob.

“Carter’s recent work adventures took him and Paul to Flinders Island only last week, which gave them both a chance to go four-wheel driving and fishing together,” his parents said.

Meanwhile, Carter, Paul and Rob worked together in September last year to deliver the stair-link to connect Macquarie Point to the Cenotaph.

“The friendship and love Carter and Paul had for each other was a bond was like no other,” Robyn said.

BCG project manager Tim Smith also revealed the strength of Carter and Paul’s bond.

“Carter and his father had a relationship that would make most fathers envious,” Mr Smith said.

“Paul had passed his trade skills on to Carter with Carter about to take the big leap into the big world on his own two feet.

“Every time I drive pass the Mac Point staircase to the Cenotaph, memories will flood back of the end achievement by all, with Carter’s input and two weeks spent breaking out solid blue stone and the look on Carter’s face that said, ‘How much more?’

“A true loss of a work colleague and friend.”

Meanwhile, Carter’s shattered ex-partner Ella Grice revealed she had seen him the day of his passing.

“I will love you forever my amazing, caring and one-of-a-kind man,” she said.

“I am the luckiest girl alive to have seen you grow from a 16-year-old into an amazing 20-year-old grown man and having you by myself through everything life has thrown our way … but this one just took you away from me and your amazing family way too soon.

“You changed my life, the first day you walked into my life and you have never left … since that first time meeting four years, five months and eleven days ago.

“You will always be in my heart forever.”

A report on Mr Taylor’s death, which is not being treated as suspicious, is currently being prepared for the coroner.

“Our initial inquiries indicate the man has walked close to the cliff edge, unfortunately slipping, which resulted in his fall,” A/Sgt Sansom said.

“Our advice to members of the public who do engage with bushwalking is that they stay on the marked trails.

“However, it’s obviously a tragic incident what’s occurred at the site and our thoughts and prayers remain with the friends and family of the man involved.”