Top British student plunges to death from high-rise building while watching New Year’s celebrations in Japan
Dad 'devastated' after tragic death of 'beautiful and beloved son'
AN "exceptional" student plummeted to his death after falling from a high-rise building in Japan on New Year's Eve.
Justin Browning, 21, was enjoying the celebrations in Tokyo when he is thought to have fallen from the top of the building.
The Durham University history student had been studying at Tokyo's Waseda University when he fell.
His lifeless body was found on the ground by a taxi driver, The Sunday Times reported.
His father Steve told the paper: "We are devastated by the untimely death of our beautiful and beloved son, Justin, in a tragic accident.
"Justin was a bright, committed, gentle and funny young man, much loved by all his family and friends and with such a bright future ahead of him.
"His death has affected so many people and he will stay in our hearts for ever."
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Professor Anthony Bash, a tutor at Durham Uni's Hatfield College, shared the news.
He wrote to students: "We are not entirely clear about what happened, but I have been told that Justin went to the top of a high-rise building in Tokyo to watch the new year celebrations. He became separated from his friends, and tragically fell to his death."
Professor Bash said they can reach out to the uni for counselling and that a memorial service was planned.
Mr Browning was said to be on course for a first class honours degree from Durham.
A dorm-mate of Mr Browning wrote in a blog post that he had been drinking before he died.
Leila Dara wrote: "On New Year's Eve this year my friend Justin, whom I was living with in Tokyo, passed away on a night out.
“We have very little information other than he fell from an elevated point, such that a taxi driver […] searched around and found him there.
“This information was only given to me and my group of friends when one of my dorm-mates - who had searched for him for three hours in the busy streets of Shibuya - asked the dorm manager to open Justin’s door because he had been missing for over 14 hours and people were getting worried.
“We could never have imagined the news.
"Words failed me.”
She added: "I wish I had more time with Justin. Coming to terms with this is extremely difficult, I know it is going to take a long time.
"Justin was exceptional. He was such an amazing person to be around. These last few days have been a veritable nightmare."
“If you knew him you were lucky, and if you didn’t you desperately missed out.
"Sending you love Justin.”
Seb Marlow, who went school with Mr Browning at Eastbourne college, wrote on Facebook: "Can't believe I'm writing this but here goes. Last week, we had to say goodbye to Justin.
"Someone I've known since we were five and someone I will miss deeply forever. I could not have asked for a better school friend, university friend, housemate, team mate, and overall best friend.
"Someone who, no matter how busy or hard life became, would always make time to eat pizza and watch a terrible TV show with us to bring us all back down to earth.
"I'll always be thinking of you."
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