Ray White real estate agent Charles Lilley may never walk again after diving accident

A Brisbane real estate agent may never walk again after he suffered serious spinal cord injuries in a horror accident at a Ray White work Christmas party.

Ray White real estate agent Charlie Lilley may never walk again after sustaining serious spinal injuries after a diving accident. A GoFund Me page has been set up to assist with his recovery. Photo: GoFundMe

A Brisbane real estate agent who had the world at his feet and a loving nature may never walk again after a horrific diving accident at a work Christmas party.

Ray White Sherwood/Graceville real estate agent Charles Lilley fractured his C6 vertebrae and sustained significant spinal cord trauma after he dived into a swimming pool 10 days before Christmas.

A Ray White spokeswoman confirmed he was at an end-of-year work offsite retreat for the combined teams of Ray White Sherwood and Graceville at a house in the Gold Coast hinterland when the accident happened.

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Charlie Lilley, who sustained a serious spinal injury and may never walk again after a diving accident, is pictured with his mum and well-known Bardon hairdresser Denise Lilley. Photo: GoFundMe

According to a GoFundMe page set up to assist the 23-year-old, he underwent a nine-hour operation at the Princess Alexandra Hospital to prevent any further damage.

He remains in the PA’s spinal injury unit.

The 198cm Lilley, has “limited use of his arms, no fine motor skills in his hands, and no use of his lower limbs,” the GoFundMe page states.

His brother Hugh Lilley today told The Courier-Mail his brother was remaining positive.

“Charlie is an incredibly strong individual and he’s very positive about his rehabilitation,” Mr Lilley said.

He said his family was standing with Charlie every step of the way .

“Our family is taking care of him as best we can along with the wonderful staff at the PA.”

Charlie’s friends and family have taken to social media to pay tribute to the 23-year-old.

“Our hearts sank when we saw this post in disbelief [...] Thank you for sharing and very sad to read this. Our thoughts are with Charlie and his family,” one friend said.

“Very sorry to hear this - keep strong Charlie,” another said on Facebook.

In a statement to The Courier Mail, a Ray White spokeswoman said: “It’s understood the accident happened at an end of year work offsite retreat for the combined teams at Ray White Sherwood and Graceville.

“There were understood to be up to 29 people at the house with wait staff on hand to serve food and drinks”.

The spokeswoman said the accident was believed to have happened when Mr Lilley dived into the shallow end of the pool at the rented house in the hinterland on the Gold Coast shortly after the event started.

Mr Lilley is the much-loved grandson of Nanette Lilley, who is considered to be the First Lady of real estate in Brisbane’s western suburbs.

Real estate agent Nanette Lilley is considered the First Lady of Brisbane real estate. (AAP Image/Regi Varghese)

Ms Lilley retired last June after 46 years in business in Graceville and her property business merged with Ray White.

The spokeswoman said the two family owned businesses were very close and the staff were said to be devastated by the accident, with many receiving counselling in the aftermath.

Despite facing a whole new set of challenges, Mr Lilley has promised to live by his mantra: “I’m going to fight this”.

“The tragic accident has totally derailed his career and his active and independent life,” explained his GoFundMe page.

“His mother, Denise, is at the hospital bedside around the clock. She is overwhelmed by and extremely grateful for the support of the friends, who have supplied home-cooked meals.

“His family are comforted by the fact that he is alive and has no brain damage.”

Real Estate agent Charlie Lilley. Photo: Facebook

Testimony to Lilley’s popularity and nature is the number of donations made within the first 24 hours that the crowd funding page was set up.

Aiming for a target of $250,000, more than $38,000 has already been pledged from more than 410 contributions.

“Not much can be done to ease the emotional stress of this heartbreaking situation. However, with your help we can ease things financially so Charlie can get the best results possible.”

“We want Charlie and his family to know that they are not alone.”

Ray White Queensland CEO Tony Warland said everyone at the property group was still in shock and devastated by Mr Lilley’s accident.

“Ray White might be a big network but make no mistake we are a tight knit family business and I know Charlie well and he is a wonderful agent who is liked and loved by everyone,” Mr Warland said.

“It’s still very raw and we are all devastated beyond belief about his tragic diving accident.

“Our thoughts are with Charlie and his family every day.”

His family has been contacted for comment.