A French boy who was thrown from the 10th-floor viewing gallery of London's Tate Modern art gallery in 2019 can now run, jump, and swim, his family has announced in their latest update. The child, who was six years old at the time of the attack, survived a 30-metre (100ft) fall but sustained catastrophic injuries, including a bleed on the brain and multiple fractures to his spine, legs, and arms.

In a statement released on Sunday, 26 October 2025, via a GoFundMe page dedicated to his recovery, his family described his progress as an “incredible achievement.” Affectionately calling him their “little knight,” they shared that he had long set himself the goal of regaining these physical abilities. “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 said. They noted the movements are limited to a few metres or a small height, but celebrated the milestone ahead of another major operation scheduled for early 2026, which will require him to be immobilised for nearly two months.

The Attack and Its Aftermath

The shocking incident occurred on Sunday, 4 August 2019, while the boy and his family were on holiday in London from their native France. Jonty Bravery, then 17, was seen stalking potential victims for about 15 minutes before he picked up the boy and, without hesitation, threw him over the railing. The child landed on a fifth-floor roof. Bravery, who remained calm after the attack, was apprehended by other visitors before police arrived. He later told the boy's father, “Yes I am mad,” and blamed social services for his actions.

The victim was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition. For months, he was unable to move or speak, required a wheelchair, and had to wear a corset to support his spine. His family described the immense pain and fear he endured, with his recovery involving years of intensive physiotherapy and rehabilitation. A fundraising page set up by a London nurse has raised over £476,000 to support his extensive medical needs.

Justice and Accountability

In June 2020, Jonty Bravery, then 18, was sentenced at the Old Bailey to life in prison with a minimum term of 15 years after pleading guilty to attempted murder. During the trial, the court heard that Bravery, who has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and a personality disorder, had intended to kill someone that day to appear on the news. He had researched tall buildings, initially considering The Shard before being deterred by the ticket price.

Sentencing judge Mrs Justice McGowan stated that Bravery posed a “grave and immediate risk to the public” and might never be released. A subsequent serious case review in April 2021 revealed that despite a history of violent incidents, including assaults and expressing a desire to harm others, Bravery was not considered a risk to the public and was allowed unsupervised leave from his supported living accommodation. The report highlighted a lack of suitable services for young people with his complex needs.

A Long Road to Recovery

Over the past six years, the boy’s family has provided periodic updates on his slow but steady progress. By 2023, he was using his wheelchair less frequently, his eyesight and memory were improving, and he was engaging in activities like adapted archery and gentle judo. The latest update marks a significant leap in his physical abilities. The family also shared a recent achievement where he and his father completed a 2.5-hour tricycle journey to the seaside for a picnic.

Despite these gains, challenges remain. His memory is still limited, and he requires ten rehabilitation sessions per week, meaning he can only attend school part-time. The family is now searching for a specialized school that can accommodate his needs and may have to relocate to ensure he continues to progress. “The coming months promise to be busy, but we will continue to devote all our energy to our little knight, who is always so courageous,” his family stated.