A man killed by a lightning strike on top of Mount Warning in northern NSW has been remembered as an adventurous, free spirit.  Americans Sam Beattie, 24, his girlfriend Michele Segalla, 23, were just two months into the trip of a lifetime touring Australia when Mr Beattie died.  The couple had hiked to the top of the mountain near the Queensland border on Monday to watch the sun rise when the storm hit.  Mr Beattie was killed instantly when a ferocious electrical storm swept through northern NSW before dawn on Tuesday, surging through a tree he was standing next to, according to media reports.  Emptional tributes to the pair have appeared on social media, with one person saying they defined "living life to the fullest. My heart is with you both. Rest in peace, Sam".  Friend Riley Swanson said Mr Beattie taught her about making the most of every moment and never looking back.  "I loved you then and I will love you forever. Can't believe you're gone Beattie ... it still doesn't seem real."  Ms Riley quoted Mr Beattie's words from a couple of years ago: "Go out there and enjoy life. You've always been good at that. Be adventurous and put yourself in uncomfortable situations. You'll find there's a lot you can learn about life from doing that, trust me, I've been there."  Ms Segalla received neck and head injuries during the storm and waited by her boyfriend's body for several hours before help came, reports say.  A group of hikers found the pair on the mountain top, where camping is illegal, and tried to give Mr Beattie first aid for almost an hour before emergency services could hike their way to the top of the mountain.  Treacherous conditions meant a rescue helicopter couldn't be used to reach the couple.  It took them nearly two hours to carry the body down from the mountain.  Mr Beattie and Ms Segalla arrived in Australia in early October and had spent an adventurous two months snorkelling, swimming with dolphins, visiting wineries and fishing while travelling by van south along the Gold Coast.  An online tribute page set up after his death says Mr Beattie took a gap year from his work as an analyst for investment firm UBS to travel around Australia with Ms Segalla.  Mr Beattie's father was told of the tragedy upon landing in Australia on Tuesday for a prearranged business trip, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported.  AAP understands the American Consulate has allocated someone to consult with Mr Beattie's family, while the coroner will determine whether to perform an autopsy on his body.
American backpacker Sam Beattie was killed when lightning struck him while he was camped atop Mount Warning in northern NSW.