Teenager left severely brain damaged after jumping off pier on day trip to UK seaside town

Jack (pictured) was badly injured after jumping off Margate pier last June. (Image: PA)

The stepdad of a teenage boy who sustained severe brain damage after attempting a front flip off Margate Pier last year alleges that his local care team is "not helping him enough" and his recovery is "stagnating". Jack Dolan, 16, had jumped off the 26ft Stone Pier in the Kent seaside town, but was knocked unconcious when he overrotated as he hit the water. Jack's stepfather, Dave Dolan, 35, described the "heart-breaking" incident in June 2024 which took place while the teenager was spending the day at the beach with friends. "His mates thought he was messing about... when he started sinking they started screaming," he said.

The teenager was found by a nearby kayaker and pulled out from under the water after being submerged for 8 minutes, effectively drowning, PA reports. Jack was then flown to King's College Hospital in London for immediate medical attention and his family were given a dire prognosis.

Jack was knocked unconscious when he hit the water. (Image: PA)

They were said to have been warned he was "brain dead" with little chance of survival, and if he did wake up, he could be in a vegetative state. Jack then spent weeks in coma and intensive care.

Dave said Jack was "completely brain damaged, every single part of his brain has brain damage, it's about as severe as you can get," but the family were given a sliver of hope just one month after the accident.

While suffering pain from a urine infection, Jack managed to grab his mother's wrist and utter the word "help". Dave said "even though it was traumatic," it was an encouraging demostration of cognitive skills.

After being discharged from hospital, the teenager was admitted to The Children's Trust rehabilitation centre from September to January, where he made further advances, reaching the point where he could say up to 15 words, use eye-gaze technology, communicate using "yes" and "no" cards, and even kick a ball.

Dave noted that Jack was now also able to sit up without help, lift up his arm, scratch his head, and reposition himself in bed.

In January Jack was able to return to the family home, which had been modified for accessibility, where he is being cared for by his mum Lisa, along with his siblings Faith, 10, and Grace, nine.

Jack also received hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the hopes of repairing his brain cells.

Jack was airlifted to hospital in London after the tragic incident. (Image: PA)

But Dave now alleges that that that Medway Council and Medway Community Healthcare's inadequate care since his return is hindering his progress.

Expressing his frustration, Dave claimed: "They're just not helping him enough, the community care team are leaving him to bed-rot".

He also voiced disappointment in the council, claiming Jack was "doing so well and he seems to have stagnated now, and that's just through a lack of help from the council."

Dave said Jack had great plans for his future that have been suspended by the horror injury: "It's heart-breaking, right now he should be starting his paperwork for the Royal Marines and doing his GCSEs."

"Instead he's learning to walk and talk again... well he's not, because he's not getting the help," he claimed.

Dave said Jack had been receiving daily physiotherapy sessions every weekday at The Children's Trust, but alleges that Medway Community Healthcare have offered them just 20 sessions for the whole year.

He claims this prompted the family to bulk-buy 50 sessions with a local private physiotherapist using donations raised by a GoFundMe page, which has raised almost £3,000 so far.

Dave believes it's a critical time in Jack's recovery, claiming: "He needs the intervention now, the first two years of any brain injury are the most important and currently – he's not getting the support he needs. His progression has really, really slowed since leaving The Children's Trust.

"It's atrocious – if there was a risk to life, he would get so much more," he claimed. 

"He will always be somewhat disabled, he will always have some level of brain damage but the next 18 months are crucial," Dave said. "With the right intervention and the right support, he could be somewhat walking and talking by the time he's 20."

A Medway Council spokesperson said: "Having been made aware of the issues, we have contacted Jack's mum to understand the family's concerns. Jack's social care plan was put in place in January and due to be reviewed later this month, however, we will be bringing this review forward to ensure the right level of social care support is in place.

"We will also be arranging a multi-disciplinary meeting with partner agencies to discuss the wider support that may be required in addition to social care."

Tracy Webb, assistant director, Children's and Planned Services at Medway Community Healthcare, said: "We are providing regular appointments for Jack Dolan based on his clinical needs. These meet national guidance and advice about recovery and ongoing care following a serious brain injury. Together with our colleagues at Medway Council, we are working to make this care and support as consistent, patient-centred and flexible as possible.

"We are already in communication with the Dolan family regarding Jack's care and the concerns raised; and will continue to work with them to find the best solution for Jack."