Ex-Brussels mayor Freddy Thielemans recovering in hospital after fall

The former mayor of Brussels, Freddy Thielemans, spent several days in an induced coma at UZ Brussel after suffering a heavy fall at his home on Monday.

71-year-old Thielemans is believed to have fallen down a flight of stairs, causing an onrush of serious injuries, including a brain haemorrhage and severe blood loss.

L’Echo reported that the ex-mayor was released from intensive care after having “recovered his physical and mental capacities”. Nevertheless, for the next few days he will be kept under close observation by doctors.

Yvan Mayeur, who took over from Thielemans as Brussels mayor, said: “We want to respect the will of the family not to interfere in their privacy. Of course, we wish him a speedy recovery… We were worried but we were pretty quickly reassured about his condition.”

Brussels councillor Philippe Close added: “Freddy has thanked the UZ staff for the diligence with which he was treated. We had a big scare, but he regained consciousness and now he's fine. He now needs rest. He is a force of nature and I have not doubt he will recover quickly.”

UZ Brussel concluded that “it is important to give all the time and peace and quiet to the patient and his family for his recovery”. It said it would not make any further statements about his condition.