A talented hockey player has lost his life after jumping 20 metres from a bridge as his friends watched on and filmed the daylight stunt. 

Emergency services pulled the body of Dalton Casey from the Murray River four hours after he leapt from a bridge in Blanchtown, north east of Adelaide, on Sunday.

The 20-year-old - described as one of the most talented hockey players in South Australia - completed the dangerous jump around a year ago, but his friends said they knew something was wrong this time when he did not surface.

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Dalton Casey lost his life after jumping 20 metres from a bridge as his friends filmed the daylight stunt

Dalton Casey lost his life after jumping 20 metres from a bridge as his friends filmed the daylight stunt

The 20-year-old has been described as one of the most talented hockey players in South Australia

'[We] knew in the first minute something was wrong and we just called for him to come back but he wasn't there,' friend Jarrod Kroon told Nine News. 

The promising young hockey player has been remembered for his sporting prowess, achieving a number of impressive accolades since starting his career at the tender age of four. 

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Mr Casey, from Renmark, was a recipient of the Hockey SA Rising Star Award, made the junior state representative team  and was selected in the Hockey Australia National Futures squad in 2014. 

Hockey SA said news of the death had rocked the tight knit community, with a former coach revealing Mr Casey was well respected on and off the field.

The promising young hockey player (right) has been remembered for his sporting prowess, achieving a number of impressive accolades since starting his career at the tender age of four

The promising young hockey player (right) has been remembered for his sporting prowess, achieving a number of impressive accolades since starting his career at the tender age of four

Emergency services pulled the body of Dalton Casey from the Murray River four hours after he leapt from a bridge in Blanchtown, north east of Adelaide, on Sunday

Emergency services pulled the body of Dalton Casey from the Murray River four hours after he leapt from a bridge in Blanchtown, north east of Adelaide, on Sunday

His distraught family gathered at the banks of the river before police divers made the grim discovery 

His distraught family gathered at the banks of the river before police divers made the grim discovery 

'[We] knew in the first minute something was wrong and we just called for him to come back but he wasn't there,' friend Jarrod Kroon (pictured) said

'[We] knew in the first minute something was wrong and we just called for him to come back but he wasn't there,' friend Jarrod Kroon (pictured) said

'Dalton was one of the most talented young male players in the state, having been selected in the National U18 Futures Squad in 2014,' South Australian Sports Institute head hockey coach Tim White said.

'He had an engaging personality and was very popular among his team mates,' he added. 

Mr Casey was also a member of North East Hockey Club and played in their Premier League Men's team. 

'Dalton was one of North East's most gifted and charismatic players, a Zulu to the core and always the life of the party,' the club posted on Facebook.

'Dalton was a member of the 2011 Premier League Premiership side, where he famously scored an absolute cracker of a goal as a 15 year old to help clinch the title.'

'Dalton was a member of the 2011 Premier League Premiership side, where he famously scored an absolute cracker of a goal as a 15 year old to help clinch the title,' his club said 

'Dalton was a member of the 2011 Premier League Premiership side, where he famously scored an absolute cracker of a goal as a 15 year old to help clinch the title,' his club said 

Mr Casey was also a member of North East Hockey Club and played in their Premier League Men's team

Mr Casey was also a member of North East Hockey Club and played in their Premier League Men's team

'Dalton was one of North East's most gifted and charismatic players, a Zulu to the core and always the life of the party,' the club said in a moving tribute 

'Dalton was one of North East's most gifted and charismatic players, a Zulu to the core and always the life of the party,' the club said in a moving tribute 

The club have organised a Chuffed account to raise money for the young man's family, which has already received $5,000 in donations. 

Loved ones have also taken to social media to pay respects to the electrician, who has been described as a 'cheeky bloke' and 'loyal friend'.

'You were the most supportive bloke and I knew I could always come to you if something was wrong or I just needed a chat. You were my rock,' one man wrote.

'Your love for life was contagious, every one around you had the time of their lives, you brought happiness with your craziness, so glad I got to see you grow into a young man before your life was cut short,' wrote another. 

Loved ones have also taken to social media to pay respects to the electrician, who has been described as a 'cheeky bloke' and 'loyal friend'

Loved ones have also taken to social media to pay respects to the electrician, who has been described as a 'cheeky bloke' and 'loyal friend'

Others left flowers and hockey sticks to pay tribute to the fallen sports star who was warmly known as 'sheriff'

Others left flowers and hockey sticks to pay tribute to the fallen sports star who was warmly known as 'sheriff'

Police are reviewing footage of the fatal fall recorded by Mr Casey's three friends - at least one of which begged him not to jump, Seven News reported.

Police said the water Mr Casey jumped into was only four metres deep and warned others of how risky it was to make the leap. 

If people land wrongly or get themselves into trouble the water is unforgiving,’ Superintendent James Blandford said.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.  

Police said the water Mr Casey jumped into was only four metres deep and warned others of how risky it was to make the leap

Police said the water Mr Casey jumped into was only four metres deep and warned others of how risky it was to make the leap

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