Regrettable Regression in Tate Fall Boy’s Recovery

A six-year-old boy who plummeted from the Tate Modern’s 10th-floor balcony in August 2019 is experiencing a “regrettable regression” in his rehabilitation, according to his family. The incident occurred during a family holiday in central London, leaving the child with severe injuries that required extensive medical care.

The youngster, who survived a 100-foot (30-meter) drop, sustained life-altering trauma, including a brain bleed and multiple fractures. Recently, his family shared updates on a fundraising page, stating that his recovery has become more challenging than anticipated after a January surgery. “He remains in a rehabilitation facility, still unable to walk,” they noted. “Weekend visits in a wheelchair have frustrated him, as it feels like a backward step in his journey.”

He is eager to regain mobility and return to a routine outside the facility, even if it means splitting his time between treatment and school.

In October, the family had celebrated a milestone: the boy’s ability to run, jump, and swim, albeit not at the same level as his peers. “We can no longer describe his activities in any other way than as running, jumping, and swimming,” they said. The family also highlighted that he had formed friendships during his absence, which he continues to maintain.

Jonty Bravery, the 24-year-old autistic defendant, was in supported accommodation at the time of the attack but was allowed out unsupervised. He aimed to target and kill someone, according to court testimony. At 17, Bravery pleaded guilty to attempted murder and received a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years. In September 2024, he was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison for assaulting two nurses at Broadmoor, a high-security psychiatric hospital in Berkshire.

Bravery had previously served a 14-week jail term in 2020 after admitting to attacking staff at the same facility. The family remains committed to supporting him through his ongoing recovery. For more stories, listen to BBC Radio London on Sounds or follow BBC London on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Share your story ideas with hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk.