Salman Rushdie’s family break silence to give huge health update as author is taken off ventilator and able to speak

SALMAN Rushdie’s family have broken their silence after the author was brutally stabbed at an event in New York. The 75-year-old’s son Zafar said his dad suffered “severe, life-changing” injuries, but “his usual feisty and defiant sense of humour remains intact”. PASalman Rushdie was stabbed multiple times in New York on Friday[/caption] APHadi Matar, 24, was arrested and has been charged with attempted murder[/caption] Rushdie was knifed up to 15 times on Friday in front of horrified onlookers in New York after suffering years of death threats over his novel The Satanic Verses. The Indian-born writer was rushed to hospital and has now been taken off his ventilator and was able to say a few words. His son Zafar today thanked the brave audience members who rushed to his aid as he shared an update on his dad’s health. He said: “Following the attack on Friday, my father remains in critical condition in hospital receiving ongoing medical treatment. Read More on The Sun ROLL WITH IT I’m raging after neighbour put up 20ft ‘rollercoaster’ at bottom of our garden POND LIFE I’m being forced to fill my fish pond because my nosey neighbours complained “We are extremely relieved that yesterday he was taken off the ventilator and additional oxygen and he was able to say a few words. “Though his life-changing injuries are severe, his usual feisty and defiant sense of humour remains in tact. “We are so grateful to all the audience members who bravely leapt to his defence and administered first aid along with the police and doctors who have cared for him and for the outpouring of love and support from around the world. “We ask for continued patience and privacy as the family come together at his bedside to support and help him through this time.” THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY… The Sun is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Download our fantastic, new and improved free App for the best ever Sun Online experience. For iPhone click here, for Android click here.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.