The boy thrown from the Tate Modern has reached his goal of running, jumping and swimming again, his family confirm.
The family of the boy who was severely injured after being thrown from the 10th floor of London’s Tate Modern art gallery have said he has reached his goal of being able to run, jump and swim again.
The French boy was six years old when he was attacked by teenager Jonty Bravery in August 2019. He fell around 100ft (30m) from a balcony and sustained life-threatening injuries, including a bleed on the brain and multiple broken bones. Bravery, who was 17 at the time, was convicted of attempted murder in 2020 and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 15 years.
The boy’s family shared the latest update on a GoFundMe page, expressing pride at his ongoing recovery and determination. They said he had been able to progress with his movement goals ahead of his next operation.
“He can’t do it like other children his age, of course, but we can no longer describe what he does in any other way than by saying it’s running, jumping, and swimming,” the family wrote. “It’s different, only over a few metres or a very small height, but it’s an incredible achievement.”
Since the attack, the boy has spent months in intensive care and continues to undergo extensive rehabilitation. His family said he has made notable improvements in both physical and cognitive abilities, gaining endurance and functionality despite the lasting impact of his injuries.
They added that his memory remains limited but continues to improve. “He is acquiring a general knowledge at his own pace, which increasingly allows him to be included with other children,” they said.
According to the update, the boy is also learning to manage the physical aftereffects of his injuries. “He’s also maturing, and thanks to his work with the psychomotor therapist, he now allows himself to relax. Previously, to compensate for his weakness on the left side, he kept his right side constantly tense, which caused him pain. Today, our pre-teen has understood that he needs to give himself breaks; we need to remind him less.”
The family also shared a milestone moment achieved with his father, which they described as a long-term goal. “As we live a few kilometres from the sea, they had set their final goal of having a picnic at the beach and then returning,” they wrote. “After several progressive training sessions, they finally completed their 2.5-hour journey. They returned exhausted but delighted. Mission accomplished.”
The attack in 2019 drew widespread attention due to its shocking nature and the severity of the boy’s injuries. The Tate Modern, one of London’s most visited tourist sites, temporarily closed part of the building following the incident.
Bravery’s sentencing at the Old Bailey heard that he had planned the attack and selected his victim at random. The court was told he had been under the care of mental health services at the time.
Five years on, the boy’s recovery continues to be documented through updates from his family, who have used the GoFundMe page to share his progress and express gratitude for ongoing public support. They said his achievements mark a significant step in his long rehabilitation process and that he remains determined to continue improving his strength and independence.
