The man killed in a rock fall on a popular walking track in the Blue Mountains on Wednesday has been labelled a "hero" by friends on social media.
A day after the tragedy, friends paid tribute to Dave Gliddon, describing the 36-year-old as "a beautiful soul" who was "strong as an ox and calm as a monk".
"Positive, enthusiastic, he was one of those people who could change the energy in the room," James Kell wrote on Facebook. "Very, very sad when someone so cool gets taken far too early."
Mr Gliddon, a contractor for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, was part of a crew of three working to repair a closed section of a walking trail at Wentworth Falls when they were hit by falling rocks.
Mr Gliddon died at the scene while the survivors - aged 26 and 27 - were flown to hospital with multiple fractures on Wednesday.
One of the man's colleagues, aged 27, is listed as in a critical condition at Westmead Hospital, while the other, 26, is in a stable condition at St George Hospital with head and back injuries, a police spokeswoman said.
Mr Gliddon's body was trapped under rubble overnight under a police cordon. Emergency services started the recovery effort about 9am on Thursday and the body was retrieved about 1.20pm, police said.
Colton Lindeman described Mr Gliddon as a "true legend, a climbing mentor and a good friend that will be missed for ever but never forgotten".
"A gentle, burly man, stronger than an ox," read another tribute posted on social media. "The sweetest friend who made you want to be more tolerant and patient, more adventurous, more familial, learn all the skills, just all the good. Dave was the actual best."
Another condolence message simply said: "What a remarkable guy, such a beautiful soul. He will be missed dearly."
Witness Mike Burgess was bushwalking below the remote walking track when he said he heard a "big explosion" that sounded "like dynamite going off".
"But I knew it wouldn't be dynamite, it would be a big slab," he told the ABC. "We heard all the blooming rocks smash down through the bush - right after that I heard a bloke scream. I'd say there were some pretty bad injuries down there."
NSW Police Superintendent Darryl Jobson said: "Out of tragic circumstances, we've seen extraordinary response by police and our emergency services colleagues yesterday with the rescue of the two patients and today with the recovery of the deceased man."
The NPWS issued a statement on Wednesday that said it was "deeply saddened" by the tragedy.
"Our condolences go to the family of the contractor who was killed and our thoughts are with the other members of the crew who were injured."
