THE proud family of Robert Buckley, who tragically died while climbing in New Zealand, told how the fun-loving son and brother had been living his dream.

Mum Gill Ray, 58, said her eldest son was helping to rebuild the infrastructure of Christchurch, which was hit by an earthquake in 2011, in between adventure pursuits including scuba diving and mountain climbing.

Echo:

She heard the news every mother hopes they will never hear, at just after midnight yesterday when a policeman knocked at the family home in Thorpedene Gardens, Shoebury.

She said: “I’m in shock, I think that’s the only reason I can actually speak. I don’t really believe it’s real. I feel like I’m acting out a part in a play.

“He had hundreds of friends from school, so many of them have been coming around to our house, crying.“ Mr Buckley also leaves behind his sister Kate Buckley, 23, and brother Alex Buckley, 28.

The former Shoeburyness High School and South East Essex College student left to go travelling in 2010.

Echo:

He had earlier worked as an engineer, but wanted to pursue his dreams, which had been inspired by his mum who took him to Australia and India when he was a young child.

Miss Ray said: “Robert was a loving son and brother.

“He had been on the glaciers with a tour group and had some experience on the mountains.

His family are devastated as are his many friends worldwide.

“He was funny and a party goer, he liked partying. He was living the dream.”

His sister Kate added: “He was outgoing, he loved making friends. He had them all over the world.”

Mr Buckley had came back home for his father’s funeral last May, in what would prove to be his last visit to the country.