An 18-year-old runner who fell from a building hours after finishing a Gold Coast half-marathon remains in critical condition days later.
A maintenance worker discovered Tyler Calleja unconscious in the car park of the building where he was staying, on Remembrance Drive in Surfers Paradise, about 4.30am on Sunday.
Emergency services, including police and paramedics, rendered first aid to Calleja before he was rushed to the Gold Coast University Hospital, where he remained in critical condition on Wednesday.
Police suspected Calleja had been trying to enter the apartment he was staying in when he slipped.
He had run a personal best time in the half-marathon the day before.
Calleja plays for his local Australian rules club, the Yeppoon Swans, which organised a fundraiser for the young man on Tuesday.
By Wednesday morning, more than $70,000 had been raised to assist Calleja and his family, who had travelled to the Gold Coast and remained by his side.
“Anyone who knows Tyler knows he’s always willing to give his time, support others and get involved in the community,” the club said in a statement.
Calleja had been involved in sport, fundraising and community events, the club said.
In March, the then 17-year-old ran a 100-kilometre ultra marathon to raise almost $20,000 for the Queensland Children’s Hospital, inspired by his friend’s fight against cancer.
Police said investigations into Calleja’s fall were continuing.
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