'THANK you’.

That’s the message to the community from the family of a Weymouth schoolgirl lucky to be alive after being seriously injured in a road accident.

Talented singer and dancer Maisie Sheridan, 11, is now making a remarkable recovery.

Her family have been ‘overwhelmed’ by support and want to thank those that helped at the accident scene and people who have rallied round the family.

Maisie, who was this year’s Weymouth Carnival junior princess, fractured her skull and sustained injuries to the left side of her body when she was struck by a van as she crossed Newstead Road 10 days ago.

Passers-by came to her aid before paramedics took over.

After being stabilised, she was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital by the air ambulance and spent the weekend in the neurological unit where medics worked to save her.

She was back home after a few days and is doing ‘amazingly’, although it will take some time to fully recover.

Maisie, a talented performer who sings at musical events around the area, is eager to restart her busy life again but knows she must rest.

As well as a head injury, she sustained a fractured eye socket, broke some bones at the back of her eye, has some soft tissue damage in her knee, and road burns on her torso.

Maisie was walking to her Julie Storey’s Let’s Dance class with her friends just after 5pm when she was hit.

Mum Ali Cairney, 46, recalls the experience as being the ‘worst day of her life’ as she raced to the scene after hearing the news and being at her daughter’s side.

“You hear about these things happening but you never think it will be your child,” Ali said.

“Initially I was thinking the worst. She wasn’t responding when she was first in hospital and I didn’t know what was going to happen. By Saturday she started to come round and by the evening she was like a different person. I knew then she would be okay.”

Maisie was back home by the Monday but is due to go back for checks.

Maisie said she was ‘bored’ and wants to start dancing again, and getting back into her daily routine.

She is being kept company at home by her three-year-old sister Lily while her friends are visiting regularly.

Maisie only started at Budmouth College this month after moving up from Beechcroft, and it is hoped she can start doing some schoolwork at home as she recovers as she is eager to catch up.

Maisie doesn’t remember the collision but it is understood she looked as she crossed the road, although didn’t give a last look as she stepped out.

Ali said: “Maisie misjudged it, it’s just one of those things. There was no fault on the part of the driver and I hope they can move on from this.”

MAISIE and her family would particularly like to thank the passers-by who rushed to her aid when she got knocked over.

It is understood a man was first on scene. He gave first aid and ensured she was not choking. He was joined by a woman and another person, possibly an off-duty paramedic. They all helped before an ambulance arrived. One of Maisie’s friends had called the ambulance.

Ali said when she herself was at the scene, a woman offered words of comfort which she found very reassuring.

Thanks also go to the emergency services, including the air ambulance which Ali says is a great charity to support.

Since the accident, Ali said the family had been inundated with messages of support, gifts, cards and flowers.

She said: “We’re not able to thank people enough, we have been totally blown away by the support. It’s mindblowing that people care so much.

“People I’ve not even met before have been coming to our door with flowers and cards.”

Maisie’s former school, Beechcroft, held a special assembly for her and candles were lit at the local church.

Ali, who lives with partner Paul Lewis, and has another daughter, Lily, said: “Thank you everyone. Maisie is getting stronger every day.”