Nick Cave's son dies after falling off cliff

Arthur Cave, seen here in an image released by Sussex Police, has died after falling off a cliff.

The teenage son of Australian singer Nick Cave has died after falling from a cliff in East Sussex.

Police have confirmed the death of Arthur Cave, who was 15 and had a twin brother, Earl. Arthur was found unconcious by members of the public on Tuesday at 6pm on the beach underneath Ovingdean Gap, a 60ft-high cliff near Brighton.

Some walkers performed first aid on him before an air ambulance took the teenager to hospital, but he died later that evening from his injuries.

The death is not being treated as suspicious, although police sources have said that Arthur's death was a tragic accident, not a suicide. It is not yet known how he fell.

At 3.40pm on Tuesday, hours before he was found, Arthur sent a photo to a schoolfriend through messaging app Snapchat.

His parents Nick and Susie Cave paid tribute to their son. They said: "Our son Arthur died on Tuesday evening. He was our beautiful, happy loving boy.

"We ask that we be given the privacy our family needs to grieve at this difficult time."

Arthur Cave, right, is seen with his mother Susie Bick, father Nick Cave and brother Earl in 2013. Photo/Getty

On Wednesday, his twin brother Earl left flowers and a message on the beach.

The note read: "Arthur - I love you so much. You were a joy to be around and I will never forget you. You were the best brother I could ever ask for. Earl."

Kimya Hajisaeagh, also 15, has been friends with Arthur since primary school. She told The Mirror: "I just can't believe it. I'm in shock, everybody is in shock."

"I think he was with his brother and a friend at some point that day but I don't know whether he was with him at the time he fell."

"He wouldn't normally hang around here but one of our friends lives near the hillside and he may have been going to visit him, it's just the worst thing ever."

Nick Cave's son has died after falling off a cliff. Photo / Getty Images

Cave and his sons were pictured in Los Angeles at a skateboard park last summer.

Fans of the singer have been sharing their sympathy online.

Arthur's fall comes after teenagers were spotted at the weekend sitting on top of the nearby Seven Sisters cliffs in Seaford, also East Sussex. The group of youths dangled their legs over the white cliffs, which are known for rock falls and cliff falls every year.