‘HE WAS ONLY 18’: PROMISING MARATHON RUNNER TYLER CALLEJA IDENTIFIED AFTER HORRIFIC GOLD COAST FALL AS LOVED ONES CLING TO HOPE FOR A MIRACLE
A teenage Gold Coast marathon runner left fighting for life after falling from a building hours after crossing the finish line has been identified.
Tyler Calleja, 18, fell from the ninth floor of the Essentia building on Remembrance Dr in Surfers Paradise shortly after 4.30am on Sunday.
Calleja fell onto a parked car with a maintenance worker sounding the alarm after finding him in the car park.
Paramedics rushed to the scene and treated him for significant head and abdominal injuries before he was taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.
“Investigations indicate the man had returned to the apartment complex and attempted to gain entry to the building,” police said.
“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.”
The Yeppoon local and Fitstop coach had only hours earlier competed in the Gold Coast half-marathon, recording a personal-best time.
Earlier this year, Calleja ran 100km in 24 hours to raise money for Queensland Children’s Hospital after watching his friend battle leukaemia.
Friends have begun posting messages of support online.
“Thinking of you mate,” one said.
Investigations into the fall remain ongoing.
SOURCE: https://7news.com.au/news/teenage-marathon-runner-tyler-calleja-identified-as-young-man-who-fell-from-gold-coast-building-c-22536879
