Jacob Berry was just 23-years-old and died after falling off a bicycle in the Cook Islands last Friday.

He was holidaying with three of his best mates on the main island of Rarotonga when the incident occurred.

He was flown to New Zealand with traumatic head injuries and sadly passed away as a result of the fall.

Described by his best mate Matt Gilligan as “a generous and loving bloke”, Jacob was the manager at a popular bar and had recently finished his paramedic degree at Charles Sturt University.

Mr Gilligan was one of the people on holidays with Jacob and is now looking at doing what he can to help his family overcome the tragedy.

“I was there with him the whole time. He fell off a bike and wasn’t wearing a helmet,” he said.

“When we hired the bikes we didn’t have to wear a helmet, it isn’t a part of their law over there.

“The damage to his head from the fall was so significant that he passed away in hospital. His family really want to put emphasis on the safety aspect, especially overseas.”

An overwhelming show of support has overtaken social media since news broke of his death, with thousands of dollars already raised to help his grieving family, which includes his mother Julie, father Paul and sister Candice.

“We would like to thank everyone and especially Jacob's close friends for all of their support at this time. Jacob would be proud to know he touched so many lives,” a statement from the family said.

According to Mr Gilligan, Jacob was so popular because of his friendly attitude and the desire to help those around him.

“He worked at Zebu as bar manager since 2014 and that is where he gained a lot of friends, because of his amazing attitude,” he said.

“He was just an awesome bloke and was more about everyone else more so than himself.

“He would go without so others wouldn’t and was so passionate about life and everything he did. He was so respectful and so calm.”

Mr Gilligan and close friend Kate Wood-Foye were behind a GoFundMe account set up in Jacob's honour, to help raise funds for the expensive medical costs left behind.

As of Tuesday, almost $10,000 had been raised with a target of at least $20,000.

“We’re raising the money for all of the medical costs to help the family. We want to raise as much as we can,” he said.

On Monday a paddle out was undertaken at Town Beach where Jacob's friends gathered to pay tribute to him in the place he loved most – the ocean.

“The paddle out was organised by Jacob's family and friends with Wayne from stand up paddle bringing flowers to throw into the ocean,” Mr Gilligan said.

“We celebrated Jacob’s life and the fact that he loved surfing and being in the water. He was also an aspiring musician.

“I think that is what I will miss most – the little things like going for a surf with my best mate.”

A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 22 at 2pm at the Innes Garden Memorial Park with all welcome.

To donate to Jacob’s Go Fund Me account, visit https://www.gofundme.com/fund4jacob