Tate Modern Attack Victim's Family Reports 'Sad Step Backward' in Recovery Journey
The family of a French boy who was thrown from the 10th-storey balcony of the Tate Modern art gallery in London has expressed deep concern over his ongoing recovery, describing it as taking a "sad step backward." The child, who was just six years old at the time of the attack in August 2019, suffered life-altering injuries after being targeted by then-teenager Jonty Bravery at the popular London attraction.
Details of the Attack and Initial Injuries
In the horrific incident, the young boy, affectionately called "notre petit chevalier" (our little knight) by his family, survived a fall of approximately 100 feet (30 meters). However, he sustained severe injuries, including a brain bleed and multiple broken bones, which have required extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. The attack occurred while the child was on holiday with his parents, leaving him with permanent health challenges.
Recent Setbacks in Rehabilitation
In an update posted on a GoFundMe page on Tuesday, the family revealed that the boy's recovery has proven longer and more difficult than anticipated, particularly following a surgery in January. He remains hospitalized in a rehabilitation centre, unable to walk, and has only been able to have weekend leave in a wheelchair for the past three weeks. This development has greatly frustrated the youngster, marking a significant regression from progress made earlier.
Previously, in an October update, the family celebrated his achievements, noting he had met his goal of being able to run, jump, and swim again. Now, they emphasize his eagerness to walk and resume a normal life, even if that means balancing treatment with school attendance. The family has found a school perfectly suited to his needs, where he made friends quickly before his operation, and these connections have remained supportive during his extended absence.
Background on the Perpetrator
Jonty Bravery, who was 17 at the time of the attack and is autistic, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and received a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years. He was in supported accommodation but allowed out unsupervised when he committed the crime, with intent to select and kill someone. Bravery, now 24, has faced additional legal issues, including a 16-week jail sentence earlier this year for assaulting two nurses at Broadmoor high-security psychiatric hospital in September 2024, following a prior 14-week sentence in 2020 for similar offenses.
Family's Ongoing Support and Fundraising Efforts
The family remains steadfast in their support, stating, "Our little knight, as courageous as ever, continues to fight and train, and we will remain by his side to support him no matter what." They are uncertain about the duration of his hospitalization. London nurse Vicky Diplacto, whose brother was paralysed in an accident overseas, initiated the GoFundMe appeal to assist with medical and rehabilitation costs, highlighting the community's role in aiding the boy's recovery.
This case underscores the long-term impacts of violent crimes on young victims and their families, with the Tate Modern incident continuing to resonate years later as the child battles through a challenging and unpredictable rehabilitation process.
