The family of a French boy who was thrown from a viewing platform at the Tate Modern art gallery in 2019 have said he has a «smile back on his face» after finally being discharged from hospital. The child was attacked by Jonty Bravery, who pushed him from the 100ft-high balcony while the boy and his family were on holiday in London.
The assault left him with life-changing injuries and began a long period of hospital treatment. In their latest health update, his family described the return of his smile as a meaningful step in his recovery. The announcement came after he was able to leave hospital, a development that represents one of the clearest signs of progress since the attack. The boy will need ongoing care, but the family's message pointed towards a more hopeful stage.
The incident happened at the Tate Modern, an art gallery in central London housed in a former power station. The viewing platform from which the boy was thrown is one of the most prominent features of the building and is open to the public. The boy and his family were visiting the capital from France when the attack took place. He was pushed from the high platform and fell around 100ft, suffering injuries that have shaped his life ever since.
Jonty Bravery was identified as the attacker. Because the victim was so young and the fall was so great, the case attracted considerable attention in Britain and beyond. The boy's injuries were described as life-changing from the outset, and the length of time he has spent in hospital has underlined how serious they were. The boy has not been publicly named, and his family have consistently sought to protect his privacy while sharing occasional updates about his health.
The family's latest statement focused on the improvement they can see in him. They said he has a smile back on his face, words that carry particular significance given everything he has been through. The update represents one of the clearest indications that, although his injuries remain serious, the recovery is continuing. For those who have followed the story, it is a more positive message than many had expected after such a long period in hospital.
His discharge from hospital marks the start of a new phase after years under medical supervision. The family have not given further details about what that phase will involve, but the tone of their statement has been widely welcomed. The image of the boy smiling again offers a rare moment of encouragement in a case that has been followed closely since 2019. Their message has drawn attention because it is one of the few times they have spoken publicly about his condition since the incident.
