Tate Modern Balcony Victim Faces Setback in Recovery Journey
The family of a French child injured at the Tate Modern say his rehabilitation has taken a setback. They revealed the update on a GoFundMe page this week.
Medical update and current condition
The boy was six when he was thrown from a 10th-floor balcony in August 2019. He survived a roughly 100-foot (30 metre) fall but suffered a brain bleed and multiple broken bones.
Following an operation in January, he remains in a rehabilitation centre. He is still unable to walk and has been allowed weekend leave only for the past three weeks.
Family remarks and school plans
The family said the progress has been “longer and more difficult than expected.” They described his frustration at being confined to a wheelchair during outings.
Before the operation, he visited a school described as well suited to his needs. He made friends there who have stayed in touch and who eagerly await his return.
Earlier progress
In an October update, the family reported he had reached long-standing goals. He had begun running, jumping and swimming again.
They stressed his eagerness to walk and to resume a more normal daily life. He hoped to split time between school and ongoing treatment.
Legal background and attacker’s record
The attacker, Jonty Bravery, was 17 at the time of the assault. He admitted attempted murder and received a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years.
Bravery, now 24, had been living in supported accommodation and was permitted unsupervised outings. Court evidence indicated he planned to select and kill a victim.
He returned to court earlier this year after being jailed for 16 weeks. That sentence followed a conviction for assaulting two nurses at Broadmoor in September 2024.
In 2020 he was given a 14-week jail term for attacking hospital staff at the same facility.
Support and fundraising
London nurse Vicky Diplacto set up the GoFundMe appeal to help the family. Her own brother became paralysed after an accident abroad, she has said.
The family affectionately call the boy “notre petit chevalier.” They pledged to remain by his side as he continues his recovery.
The Tate Modern balcony victim faces setback, the family added, but they continue to support his recovery journey.
