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The Man Killed In Lightning Strike On Mount Warning Was On The Trip Of A Lifetime

Sam Beattie was backpacking around Australia with his girlfriend.

The American backpacker who was killed by a lighting strike on Mount Warning in northern New South Wales was on a dream holiday, backpacking around Australia with his girlfriend.

Sam Beattie, 24, had his foot resting against the tree their tent was tied to when a lightning bolt struck the tree, killing him instantly on Tuesday morning.

Beattie's Instagram displays a man who lived life to the fullest, spending the last two months travelling around the country in spots such as Byron Bay, Stradbroke Island and Sydney.

"Fit our lives into 5 bags (minus 2 neck pillows). Next stop, Sydney!" Beattie wrote on a photo he shared on his Instagram page.

The American tourist was on the once-in-a-lifetime adventure with his girlfriend Michele Segalla, Fairfax Media reports. Segalla was reportedly found hours later next to his body waiting for help.

Emergency services were alerted to the incident around 4.50am on Tuesday, they then undertook a rescue mission that was on the 8km track to the mountain top.

"It's believed a man and woman camped on the summit overnight; rescuers on the summit have confirmed the man has died and a woman is being treated for neck and head injuries," said NSW Police in a statement.

The couple were travelling around Australia in a van that they had affectionately called Barry White, that was meant to be their home for the next year.

Can't #whine about that view 🍷🏞

A photo posted by Sam Beattie (@beattie_456) on

Camped in this sweeeeet cave on another deserted beach #caves #batcave #iamthebatman

A photo posted by Sam Beattie (@beattie_456) on

Mount Warning is located near Murwillumbah in northern New South Wales. It is known for its beautiful views and is popular with hikers.

Although camping is prohibited, it's a perfect location to watch the sunrise --which is believed to be the reason the couple was camping there.

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