A YOUNG girl who fell out of a moving school bus is continuing to recover but will need speech therapy.

Investigators are probing how Gemma Wilkes, 11, tumbled out of the emergency exit of the bus in a bizarre accident which left her with serious head injuries.

She is currently recovering on the high dependency unit at Alder Hey children's hospital in Liverpool.

Gemma's stepdad Gary Fairclough, of Osier Close, Elton, said: 'She seems OK. She is suffering a bit of memory loss at the moment. Her short term memory is not that good. She is starting to have physio and speech therapy.'

Mr Fairclough said the accident, which happened as she travelled back from Cheshire Oaks High School on Wednesday, May 17, had affected Gemma's speech 'a little bit'.

'The doctor says it might never get back to how it was, but doesn't seem too concerned. She might have to be an out-patient for a few years.'

Mr Fairclough, a railway signalman at Hooton, said he and his wife Jackie, Gemma's mum, and her father Paul and his wife Helen were simply overjoyed their loved one was alive.

'Her first week in there was pretty touch and go every day,' he said.

An accident report is being prepared by vehicle examiners as part of a joint investigation by Cheshire police and the county council, who contract bus services.

Mr Fairclough confirmed Gemma's mum, who dashed to the accident scene after being alerted by mobile phone, witnessed a bus seat cushion lying in the road at the rear of the bus.

Mr Fairclough said Gemma recalls little of the incident.

'She can't remember,' he said. 'She remembers getting on the bus and that's it.'

Gemma suffered a fractured skull in the accident and was left with a 15cm scar on the back of her head due to the emergency operation but it will be covered by her hair. The stitches were taken out on Tuesday which was also the day when Gemma was visited by teachers from her school.

She is surrounded by cards from school friends and other well-wishers.

Mr Fairclough said the family had been inundated by media inquiries since the accident but added that Gemma had not enjoyed seeing her photograph on the front page of local newspapers.

Gary and Jackie are staying at Ronald McDonald House at Alder Hey which allows parents to stay overnight close to their children free of charge.

He said family and friends will raise money for the hotel-style accommodation once their loved one is better.

david.holmes@cheshirenews.co.uk