Afrikaans singer Jannie Moolman taken off ventilator

Johannesburg - Tenor Jannie Moolman continued to respond to treatment and has been taken off a ventilator, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.

"In an important step for his recovery, he was taken off an artificial ventilator yesterday and is breathing comfortably on his own," Bernard Beukman said in a statement.

"Medication used to keep him in an induced coma has also been stopped. This morning he was still only sleeping and the expectation is that he would gradually regain consciousness."

Moolman was still in the trauma unit.

On 10 April, Moolman underwent an operation to his face where six bone fractures were mended.

At the time, doctors were satisfied with Moolman's progress after he also had a successful operation for a broken arm.

Moolman was injured at a restaurant in Hartbeespoort in the North West.

Beukman said the medical team had indicated there was no serious damage to his sinuses.

Beeld newspaper reported that Moolman had fallen from the second floor of a restaurant.

According to the report, the accident happened at a family friend's bachelor party.

However, Beukman said the reports that "he had fallen from a roof - due to the nature of his injuries - cannot be accepted as the final conclusion".

He said the exact cause of his injuries was still unknown.

On Tuesday, Beukman said Moolman's family and friends had expressed their gratitude for the many get well wishes received.