Mother describes the "nightmare" moment she saw her daughter Sophie Robertson hit by a bus in The Meadows

A MOTHER has spoken of her "worst nightmare" after seeing her daughter hit by a bus – and has thanked the people who saved her life.

Sophie Robertson was injured in the accident on the edge of The Meadows while on her way to catch a train home to Hucknall with her mum and brother.

The 17-year-old, who suffered life-threatening injuries, returned home on Wednesday, after more than three weeks in hospital.

Mum Lesley Simpson who lives with her in Bolingey Way, Hucknall, said: "Seeing your daughter run over, there's nothing you can do. I don't know what I was thinking, I was just numb."

"I was on the other side of the road with my little boy. I thought she was right at the side of me, there was nothing I could have done. Everything is a blur from that night."

The accident happened at the junction of Meadows Way and Mabel Street on Tuesday, January 8.

An ambulance quickly arrived and Sophie was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre, accompanied by her mum and brother.

"She was in intensive care for a week. On the Friday, they took her to surgery because her brain had swollen," Lesley said.

"We had been told to expect the worst. A couple of days later, after sedation, she had staples from temple to temple. They had to cut her skull.

"It's just your worst nightmare. It was very serious. I can't stop crying, I've not left her side."

Despite the severity of her injuries, Sophie's operation was a success and she was able to go home.

However, the 17-year-old, who loves music and singing, will have an operation to insert a metal plate into her head in three months' time.

"It's brilliant to have her back. She's really glad to be home. She's sorting out all the presents people have bought her – it's like Christmas day here.

"Everybody loves her, she's funny, she's outgoing and a really nice teenager. She's beautiful."

Sophie's mum said the emergency services who acted to save her life that night were incredible.

The 40-year-old said: "The QMC were absolutely fantastic. From the surgeons to the nurses, they've saved her life.

"I've got a billion thank-you cards to buy – she's absolutely my world.

"To be honest she's just the same as before the accident. I was expecting a wheelchair, she's a miracle. The doctors have saved her life, the life that she had before."

Daniel D'Aquino, neurosurgical registrar, carried out the life-saving surgery on Sophie.

He said: "Sophie had a significant head injury following the road traffic accident and she needed urgent, life-saving surgery to relieve the pressure on her brain.

"I'm delighted she is making an excellent recovery."

The surgery that Sophie underwent is one of the key specialist operations that can be carried out at the QMC as part of its status as a major trauma centre.

Mr D'Aquino added: "As the major trauma centre for the East Midlands, we see a great many head injuries coming to the QMC which require life-saving intervention from neurosurgeons.

"Sophie's case is a good example of how our trauma centre is working to save lives in Nottingham and the wider region."

As well as the doctors and nurses, Lesley wants to thank a community that has united to help in their time of need.

While Sophie and her mum now live in Hucknall, they are originally from The Meadows, where much of their family live.

Users of the Riverway pub, in Arkwright Walk, held a fun day, including food and a raffle, raising £600 to buy a small car for Lesley to ferry Sophie around.

Lesley said: "Some people were paying £10 for a raffle ticket. When people do things like that, it's amazing. I want to move back – you realise how kind people are and I'm really proud of what they've done."

Lesley is hoping to buy a Vauxhall Corsa with the money.