Tyler Calleja sustained significant head and abdominal injuries in the fall on Sunday, July 5
Credit: Bradley Kanaris/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Tyler Calleja fell while trying to access an apartment building in Australia’s Gold Coast on Sunday, July 5
- He remains in a critical condition after sustaining significant head and abdominal injuries in the incident
- Over $42,000 has been raised by his football club to help cover his medical expenses
An 18-year-old marathon runner is in critical condition after falling from the ninth floor of an apartment building in Australia.
At around 4:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, July 5, emergency services responded to report that a maintenance worker had found an unconscious man in the car park of a building in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast near Brisbane, Queensland Police confirmed to PEOPLE.
Tyler Calleja, an 18-year-old Yeppoon Swans Australian Rules football player and fitness coach, was treated at the scene for significant head and abdominal injuries before being rushed to the Gold Coast University Hospital in critical condition, according to 7 News and ABC News.
“Investigations indicate the man had returned to the apartment complex and attempted to gain entry to the building,” a Queensland Police spokesperson told PEOPLE.
Credit: Getty
“It is believed the man fell while attempting to gain access to the unit where he was staying before falling into the car park area,” police concluded.
The incident is being investigated by detectives from the Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch.
According to News.com.au, a Queensland Ambulance spokesperson described Calleja’s condition as “potentially life-threatening” when he was taken to hospital.
“We see falls all the time from buildings and the result is quite tragic. So for him to have survived that is quite remarkable,” Chief Superintendent Kylie Rigg said in a press conference on Monday, per the Gold Coast Bulletin.
Calleja remained in critical condition as of Tuesday, July 7, the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service confirmed to PEOPLE.
The fall occurred just hours after Calleja set a personal best in the Gold Coast half-marathon, 7 News reported. Earlier this year, the marathon runner completed a challenge to raise money for Queensland Children’s Hospital after watching his friend battle leukemia.
He garnered nearly 3,000 followers on Instagram by sharing his endurance running career.
Credit: Getty
Since Calleja’s near-fatal fall, over $42,000 ($61,000 AUD) has been donated to a fundraiser organized by his football club to help cover medical expenses.
“We are deeply shocked by the recent news of the accident involving one of our much-loved Yeppoon Swans players, Tyler Calleja,” said Yeppoon Swans AFC’s President Dan O’Brien in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “Our prayers, thoughts and best wishes go out to his family. Tyler is currently receiving medical care on the Gold Coast, with his family by his side.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“As a club, and with the blessing of Tyler’s family, we have launched a GoFundMe where people can donate to support,” he continued. “Anyone who knows Tyler knows he is always willing to give his time to others in the community. Now it’s our turn to stand beside him and his family.”
“The club thanks supporters and the wider community for their understanding and well wishes,” O’Brien added. “The family has asked that everyone respect their privacy as they navigate this difficult time.”
Read the full article here
