Laura Seward, the 11-year-old Co Waterford girl who was seriously injured as the Tour de France passed through the village of Grange, near Youghal, on July 13th regained consciousness yesterday at Cork University Hospital. When she opened her eyes, the first word she said was "Mummy."
The accident happened as the Tour passed through the village and one of the riders, an Italian, Mr Frederico de Beni (26), appeared to veer into the crowd. The child was knocked unconscious immediately and was rushed by ambulance to the outskirts of Cork, where a helicopter brought her to Cork University Hospital.
Since then she has been in a coma, and her condition was described all along as extremely critical. Her parents, Michael and Bridget Seward, have been at her bedside constantly during the ordeal.
Yesterday, the girl opened her eyes and for the first time since the accident was able to communicate with her parents. The hospital said that although Laura had regained consciousness and her condition had improved she would have to remain under strict observation.
Her relieved father said that seeing his daughter conscious again was just like watching her being born. He added: "At times we thought she might not make it. But even when she couldn't talk to us, she would press our hands and we felt she could understand." It is understood that the girl will be in hospital for some days and perhaps weeks yet.