The parents of a six-year-old boy allegedly thrown 100 feet from the Tate Modern have said they still don’t know the extent of his injuries.
In a statement posted online yesterday, the parents say their little boy has already “undergone two long and difficult operations,” but that “we still do not know the full extent and severity of his injuries.” He is in a stable condition.
A fundraiser for the family set up by Vicky Diplacto, 31, who was not known to the family, has raised nearly £50,000 for the boy to receive ‘gold standard care’.
In an update posted to the page, the boys’ parents, who are French, said: “He is alive, struggling with all his strength and we remain hopeful.
“We thank you very much for your gifts and all your kind messages of support. You cannot imagine how it helps us to see so much humanity in this tragic ordeal.
“Thank you very much; you help us to keep going. We hope to be able to give you better news as soon as possible.”
A court was previously told that the six-year-old had sustained bleeding on the brain, fractured spine, arms and legs, after allegedly being thrown from the Tate’s viewing platform.
A 17-year-old has been accused of attempted murder in connection with the incident, and has been remanded in youth custody.
The child and the defendant cannot be named for legal reasons. A trial is due to take place next year.
“I have started this campaign as it is a truly horrendous incident. My family were unfortunately in a similar situation five years ago when my brother suffered a similar accident,” said Ms Diplacto, explaining why she set up the fundraiser.
“I have a young son myself, I am a nurse, and having been through the experience of this and understanding how difficult it is has been the driving force behind showing support to this family through such a tragic time.”
It can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/medical-funds-for-tate-tragedy