POLICE say an American tourist who fell from a Surfers Paradise highrise was not pushed - he was punching holes in the wall during a heated argument and fell through.

The 20-year-old man was in the level one car park of the Suntower Holiday Apartments on the Esplanade about 6.30pm Thursday when he crashed through a glass and plasterboard wall and plummeted to the ground.

He was taken to Gold Coast Hospital with serious head injuries. Police were investigating whether he was assaulted before he fell, and if he was pushed by another male.

But detectives who interviewed the victim in hospital on Friday morning said there was no evidence of suspicious activity.

They said it appeared as if the two men had argued and the victim had a 'tantrum'.

"It appears there was a heated discussion and he's punched one hole in the wall too many and fallen through,'' said Acting Inspector Chris Toohey, of Surfers Paradise CIB.

Insp Toohey said the victim was a track athlete and the other man his trainer, and the two had not been drinking