A 23-YEAR-old Gwynedd man “living his best life” as he explored the world had died when he plunged through a skylight after climbing a church tower, an inquest heard on Wednesday (March 2).

Jordan Baker, an outdoor instructor who had been working in a cafe in Australia, died in February 2019 at the scene in Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise, on the Gold Coast.

The inquest at Caernarfon was told he had probably had eight or nine pints of beer.

Mr Baker, of Minffordd, Gwynedd, loved travelling and his mother Jill Mawson said: "Jordan’s smile could light up a room.”

She added: “We would like Jordan to be remembered not for how he died, but how he lived.”

He’d travelled around America, working in summer camps, and dreamed of spending a year or two in Australia.

Friend Mitchell Philpott, who’d met him in America, said there had been a big surfing event during the day and later a group had been drinking.

The two friends decided to climb the church tower up to a cross and they stepped over a skylight, about 3ft wide.

After 15 minutes at the cross, they began their descent.

Mr Philpott said in evidence: “I don’t remember hearing anything. We were just talking at the time. Then I didn’t hear him talk any more. I turned around and he had fallen through.”

He jumped off the roof and forced his way into the church.

He found Mr Baker and emergency services were called.

A pathologist said he had died of multiple injuries.

Coroner Katie Sutherland recorded a conclusion of accidental death.

She told Mr Baker’s family: “I can’t begin to imagine what you have been through since Jordan passed away. The death of any family member is extremely tragic.

“He was living his best life and doing all he wanted to do. I am sorry for your loss in these tragic circumstances.”

At the time, it was reported in Australia that an overseas tourist had died after falling through a skylight at a Catholic church on the Gold Coast early on Sunday morning.

The 23-year-old was on the roof of St Vincent's Catholic Church at Surfers Paradise at about 2am when he fell 10 metres, police said.