Luke Micallef, the seven-year-old boy who fell into a dry watercourse at Chadwick Lakes, has been off life support for four days but his condition remains serious, his father said yesterday.

Replying to readers’ concerns in timesofmalta.com, his father, Robert, extended his thanks to those who wished the boy well.

“Luke is still in a bad way, he has been off life support for four days now but he is in deep sleep most of the time which I am told is ‘normal’ in these cases,” Mr Micallef said.

He pointed out there was no “normal” where head injuries were involved, and the boy’s true brain function and life could only be confirmed at a later stage.

After the life support machine was switched off, little Luke sat up and said “I want to walk out”, but according to his father he has been asleep ever since, although he did nod his head when asked some questions.

“My son was a star cyclist, now maybe he moves a hand,” Mr Micallef said, adding that Luke’s three-year-old brother “seems traumatised to say the least”.

He extended his thanks to the emergency services including the person who took his call, and to the dedicated ITU staff who, he said, treated every patient like a member of their own family, with love and respect.

Mr Micallef also called on online readers who were calling for more care and attention to explain what they meant. “Luke was next to his mother in the middle of the pathway. He was not on the edge. I know the place is not a city street. That’s why we were there, to avoid traffic and get some fresh air.”

On comments about whether or not there should have been a fence, Mr Micallef stood by his opinion that there should have been protection.

Replying to some comments he said: “Yes, we have been abroad thank you very much, and in places where families go out there has always been a fence, yes, even on the Alps... No one thinks (of) safety in this country. And the fence will be done I assure you, even if I have to pay for it myself.”