CRITICAL: British ‘friend of the stars’ in coma after Mallorca balcony fall

A BRITISH filmmaker is in a critical condition after plunging from a balcony in Mallorca.

Carl Whiteley, from Crowle, Lincolnshire, suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to Son Espases Hospital after the ‘unexplained’ fall at a first-floor flat in Palma’s old town on Tuesday night.

The 39-year-old is reportedly a well-known figure in the movie industry and is pictured on social media with A-listers Sylvester Stallone, Alice Cooper and Johnny Depp.

He wrote the script for Star Wars spoof The Empire and organised a major Harry Potter convention in Manchester.

On his Twitter account, Carl describes himself as owner of DiagCon and moviESCAPE, as well as director of Pandora Movie Owner at Jollywood Events.

National Police confirmed officers visited the property shortly after the incident, at 11pm, having received reports from neighbours about a disturbance.

But the injured man’s partner later told Spanish newspaper, Ultima Hora, that they had simply been arguing ‘like any couple’.

She added that she has no idea why he was on the balcony having been laying on the sofa minutes earlier, explaining she ‘heard the window of the balcony open, then a loud blow in the street and a scream’.

An online fundraising appeal has been launched by his sister, Emma, and has raised €650 in 14 hours.

She said: “My brother is in Spain, we are in England. We need help to get all of our family over to our brother Carl.

“He’s had a terrible accident and is in critical condition. The hospital has put him in an induced coma. Our brother is amazing and I know he’s helped a lot of people and a lot of charities. Any donations are greatly received.”

She added that any money left over will be donated to a brain trauma charity.