By James HoreTHE family of a girl who suffered serious damage to her legs when she was crushed by a lorry have spoken of their pride as she battles to walk again.

By James Hore

THE family of a girl who suffered serious damage to her legs when she was crushed by a lorry have spoken of their pride as she battles to walk again.

Dolly McCarthy, nine, from Colchester, was horrifically injured earlier this year when she was involved in a collision with a lorry, leaving her with a fractured pelvis and fractured right femur.

The youngster, of Magdalen Green, also lost muscle and ligaments and required skin grafts from her knees to her ankles.

Her family initially feared Dolly, a pupil at St George's Junior School in Colchester, would not even survive the accident and were then told she may never be able to walk again.

After four operations, she remains in hospital, but still has a smile on her face - and has now taken her first tentative steps with the assistance of a frame.

Dolly's mother, Michelle, who is blind, has been with her daughter every day since the accident.

The little girl's grandmother, Doreen McCarthy, said the family had been really strong since August's accident.

Mrs McCarthy, who had held Dolly's hand as she lay under the lorry, said: “I knew at the time it was very serious, but did not know the extent of the injuries.

“She is not actually walking, but has taken the first steps with her frame. That was a few days ago and was marvellous, we all cried tears of joy.”

Mrs McCarthy added her granddaughter's strength of character had been amazing since the accident.

“She has been so strong, she is a really strong-willed girl, she has had to be because of her mother's disability, it makes them grow up quicker. We have just pulled together as a family,” she said.

Dolly still faces more operations and further skin grafts, but is set to go home for the first time next week when a specialist will make an assessment on how her house will have to be adapted when the move becomes permanent.

The youngster is also looking forward to rejoining her friends from the Seventh Colchester Brownie pack.

james.hore@eadt.co.uk