Boy ‘thrown’ from Tate Modern ‘smiling and laughing despite being unable to move or speak’

The six-year-old’s family said he is “an incredible fighter” as they share news of his "amazing" recovery

The family of the six-year-old boy who was allegedly thrown from the 10^th floor viewing platform of London’s Tate Modern art gallery last month have said he is “smiling and laughing” despite being unable to speak or move his body.

The French child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was left with serious injuries when he was found on a fifth floor roof of the building on 4 August.

Now his family have said he is making an “amazing progress” – and is laughing at jokes and smiling as they read him stories.

Last month a court heard the six-year-old had suffered a bleed on the brain and fractures to his spine, legs and arms. Moments before he had been standing with his parents on the platform “looking over the side and enjoying the view”.

A 17-year-old boy was apprehended at the scene and later charged with attempted murder. He is due to stand trial next year.

The six-year-old’s family added: “He is an incredible fighter. Even if he can't speak or move his body for the moment, we now know for sure that he understands us."

The message was posted to a GoFundMe page set up by nurse Vicky Diplacto, from Surrey, whose brother was paralysed in an incident overseas. So far the fund has raised more than €60,000 for the family.

They added: "It gives us lots of strength and hope, as much as the strength you, all of you, give us since the beginning with your kind messages."

Last month, the Old Bailey was told that psychiatric reports had been ordered for the 17-year-old who stands accused of throwing the French boy from the viewing platform.

The teenager was remanded in custody without entering a plea, with the court being told that any trial would be held across two weeks in 2020.

A reporting restriction bans the identities of both the victim and the defendant being made public.