Six years after being thrown from London’s Tate Modern, a six-year-old boy has achieved remarkable progress, running, jumping, and swimming again, as he prepares for further surgery amidst ongoing support and fundraising efforts.
Six years after the harrowing incident in which a six-year-old boy was thrown from the 10th-floor viewing platform at London's Tate Modern, the child has made remarkable progress in his recovery. The French boy, who suffered catastrophic injuries including a bleed on the brain and multiple fractures, was initially feared to be wheelchair-bound for life. However, his family now reports that at age 12, he can run, jump, and swim again, albeit with some limitations. This progress marks a significant milestone from earlier stages of his rehabilitation when he was only able to stand unaided.
The boy, who has been affectionately called the 'Little Knight' by his family due to his bravery and determination, set himself the goal of cycling the 2.5-hour journey from his home to the seaside, which he successfully completed this summer, indicating remarkable physical endurance and recovery. His family shared that while he cannot perform these activities like other children his age, his ability to run, jump, and swim over limited distances is an incredible achievement. They also revealed plans for another major operation early next year, which will require him to be immobilised for nearly two months but is deemed essential to further reduce pain and improve function.
The journey to recovery has involved intensive rehabilitation, with the boy attending ten separate therapy sessions each week, supported by a psychomotor therapist who has helped him address tension in the left side of his body that causes pain. To support his rehabilitation, the family is seeking a new school that can accommodate both his academic curriculum and the extensive therapy he requires. They have expressed ongoing gratitude to those who have supported their fundraising efforts, which have raised more than £477,000 to date.
The incident occurred in August 2019 when then-17-year-old Jonty Bravery, who was in supported accommodation but allowed out unsupervised, threw the child from the viewing platform. The boy fell approximately 30 meters, landing on a lower roof before being airlifted to hospital in critical condition. Bravery, who had no prior connection to the boy, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to attempted murder. In June 2020, he was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison, with the presiding judge warning that he might never be released due to the severity of his crime and the risk he posed to society. While on remand at Broadmoor Hospital, Bravery also received an additional jail term after assaulting staff members.
This case not only highlighted the extraordinary resilience of the young victim and the unwavering support of his family but also raised wider concerns about mental health care and supervision for individuals like Bravery. The family’s ongoing commitment to their son's progress and the broader public support have been critical pillars in the long road to rehabilitation following this unprecedented attack.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1] (Daily Star), [2] (Euronews)
- Paragraph 2 – [1] (Daily Star)
- Paragraph 3 – [1] (Daily Star)
- Paragraph 4 – [1] (Daily Star), [4] (DW), [7] (Evening Standard)
- Paragraph 5 – [1] (Daily Star), [5] (ITV), [6] (Al Jazeera), [3] (ITV)
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
🕰️ The narrative presents recent developments in the recovery of a six-year-old boy who was thrown from the 10th-floor viewing platform at London's Tate Modern in August 2019. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 28 September 2020, when Euronews reported that the boy, then seven, could stand unaided. ([euronews.com](https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2020/09/28/boy-thrown-from-10th-floor-of-tate-modern-museum-can-now-stand-unaided?utm_source=openai)) The most recent update is from 3 September 2023, detailing the boy's progress in walking and engaging in family activities. ([news.sky.com](https://news.sky.com/story/boy-thrown-from-10th-floor-of-tate-modern-now-mostly-out-of-wheelchair-12954200?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
📝 The narrative includes direct quotes attributed to the boy's family, such as referring to him as their "little knight" and describing his progress. These quotes appear in earlier reports, notably from 28 September 2020, when Euronews reported on the boy's ability to stand unaided. ([euronews.com](https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2020/09/28/boy-thrown-from-10th-floor-of-tate-modern-museum-can-now-stand-unaided?utm_source=openai)) The wording of the quotes varies slightly across sources, indicating potential paraphrasing or updates. No online matches were found for some of the more recent quotes, suggesting they may be original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
⚠️ The narrative originates from the Daily Star, a tabloid newspaper known for sensationalist reporting. While it references reputable sources such as Euronews and ITV News, the Daily Star's own credibility is often questioned. The report includes references to other reputable outlets, which may enhance its reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
✅ The narrative aligns with known facts about the incident and the boy's recovery. The timeline of events and the details of the boy's progress are consistent with previous reports from reputable sources. The inclusion of updated data, such as the boy's ability to run, jump, and swim, adds credibility. However, the Daily Star's sensationalist tone and lack of direct citations for some claims warrant caution.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
⚠️ The narrative presents a mix of updated information and recycled content from previous reports. While it includes recent developments in the boy's recovery, the Daily Star's sensationalist reporting and reliance on less reputable sources raise concerns about its overall reliability. The presence of direct quotes and references to reputable outlets adds some credibility, but the sensationalist tone and lack of direct citations for some claims warrant caution.
