Family of boy injured in pier jump speak of hope

The family of Jack Dolan, 15, said they have seen improvements in his condition

The family of a Kent teenager who suffered brain damage following a jump off Margate's Stone Pier said they have seen signs of recovery.

Jack Dolan, 15, was hospitalised in June and his life support was turned off two weeks later after an MRI showed no brain activity.

But the family's hope has been reignited as his stepfather said Jack has responded to his mother and can move his feet.

Speaking to BBC South East, Dave Dolan said: "He is an absolute trooper. Everyday he is progressing."

Jack Dolan suffered brain damage after an accident at Stone Pier in Margate

Jack Dolan had been attempting a front flip from the pier on 23 June but landed badly and was airlifted to King's College Hospital in London.

Mr Dolan said: "He floated on the water for a little bit but his mates thought he was messing about.

"By the time they realised something was wrong, he had already sunk and they couldn't get to him."

The family were told to expect the worst and Jack was taken off life support on 3 July.

He has since been transferred to Medway Maritime Hospital where his family said he is exceeding their expectations by moving his feet and responding to his mother's voice.

Stepfather Dave Dolan said Jack has showed signs of recovery

Mr Dolan said: "To the average person, you wouldn't notice.

"To his mum, to me, to people who know Jack and see him regularly, every day there is something a little bit new, a little bit different, a little bit better."

'You find the willpower'

Mr Dolan, a bricklayer, is now adapting a new council home to be more accessible for Jack at record speed.

The family - who were living in a maisonette - pulled out all the stops to find a council house which could be made wheelchair-friendly within three weeks.

He is doing much of the work himself before Jack leaves hospital in early September, often getting just a few hours sleep a night.

He said: "When you have got the right incentive, you find the willpower to do it.

"It does not matter if you are tired, if you are busy - you find a way."

Dave Dolan has been adapting a house for Jack to come home, with help from family friend Sam Cass

A fundraiser set up by a family friend Sam Cass has raised just over its target of £40,000.

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