A FAMILY have told of their relief after a seven-year-old girl who fractured her skull last week in a road accident was discharged from hospital yesterday.

Erin Robb, from Firtree, in Shildon, County Durham, suffered head injuries on Tuesday afternoon last week while playing on her bike with a five-year-old boy in a cul-desac near her home.

She was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital with suspected minor injuries, but transferred to The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, after she was diagnosed with a fractured skull. She spent two days sedated in intensive care.

Her mother, Annette Jasper, described emotional scenes in the hospital when Erin woke.

She said: “It was amazing when she opened her eyes and started screaming.

“Everyone started crying with relief.”

Erin’s injuries caused an air bubble behind her left ear, leaving her more susceptible to viruses such as meningitis.

Ms Jasper, who has five other daughters, said: “Erin is still bruised, but she is getting back to normal.

“She cannot play outside or be too active for six weeks, and cannot return to school for another three weeks.”

Erin’s older sister, Alex Carlyle, 18, said it had been a traumatic experience for the family.

She said: “It was awful seeing Erin under sedation because she is usually such a lively child.

“We have had six long days at the hospital, but we are over the moon to have her home.”

A police spokesman said: “The only vehicle likely to have been in the area at that time was a cab belonging to a local taxi firm. We have traced the driver and spoken to him.

“The driver was almost certainly unaware anything had happened and, at this stage, we do not anticipate taking any further action.”