Daredevil who fell to death off 68-storey skyscraper 'did not slip', pal says

05 August 2023 , 08:20

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Remi Lucidi - or Enigma - with friend and fellow urban climber Dakamaru (Image: @dakamaru10/Instagram)

A daredevil who plummeted 68 floors to his death while attempting a stunt on a Hong Kong skyscraper did NOT slip, according to a friend.

French photographer Remi Lucidi - known as Remi Enigma - is understood to have become trapped outside the top floor penthouse of the 721ft Trengunter Tower complex while posing for photos. The 30-year-old frantically knocked on a window and startled a maid inside who called the police before he eventually toppled off the residential building to the ground.

Fellow urban climber 'Dakamaru' - who did not wish to reveal his real identity - told the Mirror he spoke to Remi just days before his death last Thursday (July 27). The pair met on Instagram in 2020 and have since gone on to complete climbs together. They both planned to take a trip to France in the near future and to climb the Great Pyramid in Egypt.

Dakamaru said: "We last spoke on Instagram a few days before the tragedy. He was excited about climbing buildings in Hong Kong. He said he took some beautiful photos." The thrillseeker admitted he didn't know if Remi had ever climbed Trengunter Tower before, but added: "I suppose he has." Asked how much pre-planning goes into such activities, he answered: "Planning is loose. Sometimes you cannot plan everything in life."

He was informed of his friend's death by someone else in the community last Saturday (July 29). But despite his grief, he said it wouldn't deter him or others from continuing to complete such stunts.

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Dakamaru spoke to Remi just a few days before his death (@dakamaru10/Instagram)

The two friends planned to climb the Great Pyramid in Egypt together (@dakamaru10/Instagram)

"This doesn't happen often," he said. "We do not just fall. Had my friend had any partner with him to back him up he would still be alive. A comrade would call for help."

He went on to say: "Tragedies such as my friend's never shake our core beliefs. We know what we're doing and why we're doing it. We are aware of the consequences. I can't imagine the process of people telling us: 'You might fall, it's dangerous, you will die if you fall'...Well, imagine what a massive revelation this is for us."

Dakamaru said: "When you reach a certain level of skill you don't just slip and fall. It's not possible. According to the witness, Remi was stuck outside of a window. It must have been a place that he could not manoeuvre out of. He must have spent enough time there to get tired and not be able to keep to it any longer.

Remi and Dakamaru during a stunt in Sofia, Bulgaria

"The witness claimed he’d been out on the window knocking. Probably on a thin edge outside. Not much space to move. Probably no way to sit, turn, crouch or change position in any way. And no matter how physically fit you are, in such conditions you’re bound to get tired eventually."

Explaining how he first came in contact with Remi, Dakamaru said: "I met Remi on Instagram in 2020. We developed great communication over time and in summer 2021 we met for the first time. We spent a few weeks inseparable. Then in December 2022 we met again and spent a few weeks in adventures.

"We’ve maintained constant contact. Remi is like family to me. I was hoping to see him many times again. I was planning a trip to France to go climb together. We were also planning to go climb the Great Pyramid together. And now he’s gone and all I’ll have from him will be photos, videos and beautiful memories."

Remi often posted photos of his exploits on Instagram (Instagram/@remnigma)

Remi posted a final photo of the Hong Kong skyline prior to this death

In an Instagram post alongside a photo of the two together, Dakamaru said: "Steel towers are very much like friendships - we build them strong and tall. They may wobble occasionally, or seldom get visited by the builders, but with proper care and maintenance they’ll resist the wind, snow, and scorching sun, and might as well last for eternity."

In another, he added: "Goodbye, my friend, goodbye. I hope you know how much I’ll miss you and how empty it is without you. Just wait for me in the next life. We will climb everything! R.I.P Remi Enigma, a mighty rooftopping god…"

A security guard at Trengunter Tower had attempted to stop Remi, who claimed to be visiting a pal on the 40th floor, but the extreme sports fan managed to make his way higher up the building, according to Hong Kong officials.

Remi's camera was found at the scene containing footage of some of his stunts (Instagram/@remnigma)

Security footage shows him on the 49th floor and taking the stairs up to the top of the building. Security officers pursuing the photographer later found a hatch leading to the roof open but say he was nowhere to be found.

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Remi was last seen alive at 7.38pm, tapping on the window of the complex's penthouse, which then prompted a maid in the apartment to call the police. His camera at the scene of his death reportedly contained footage of other death-defying stunts and climbs. Hostel owner Gurjit Kaur, which is where Lucidi was reportedly staying, said: "He was healthy and fit and happy-faced. I feel very sad."

The "friendly and humble guy" had a large Instagram following where he showcased his exploits. A worker who claimed to speak to Lucidi said: "He told me he was going to hike a mountain when I asked where he was going. He said he wanted to hike a lot when he was here." Shortly before his death he had posted a photo of the Hong Kong skyline. An official cause of death has not yet been recorded.

Ryan Merrifield