A WHITEFIELD woman has taken her first steps after a road crash in Thailand almost three weeks ago.

Lucy Hill, of Laburnum Drive, Whitefield, was seriously injured when a car hit her moped in Thailand on January 9.

The 21 year old, who used to work at TGI Fridays in Prestwich, was treated on an intensive care unit in a hospital in the northern city of Chiang Mai and has undergone several operations.

Doctors had been unsure about how long it would take the university graduate to recover, but there was some positive news for the family this week.

Lucy’s father Phil Hill said: "She went from lying down to sitting up, and then standing with the help of a walking frame.

"Then it got a bit too much for Lucy and she felt dizzy so she lay back down, but she gave it another go and she has managed to take three or four steps."

He added: "She is now out of intensive care. It's very good news, but the doctors are taking it day by day.

"Lucy has been having physiotherapy once a day and the doctors are keeping an eye on her progress."

Lucy's mum, Alison is set to meet with police and leaders of the hospital on Monday to establish the cost of Lucy's medical treatment and whether the driver's car insurance will cover it.

Mr Hill said Lucy needs another operation on her leg, but it might be possible for her to fly home in the next few weeks and go under the knife in the UK.

"She is not really in the right state of mind to have the operation now, so it is a case of keeping an eye on things after Monday’s meeting," he added.

Lucy has a blood type that is relatively rare among Thai nationals and dozens of people responded to an appeal to give blood to her after the crash.

One unexpected bonus for the hospital is that doctors now have an extra supply of rare blood, which can be used to help other people.

Angela Critchley, who is a friend of the Hill family, has organised a fundraising evening at the Sir Robert Peel pub in Sunnybank Road, Unsworth, at 8pm on Saturday.

There will be games, a raffle, music and food and tickets cost £10, with all proceeds going to Lucy's family.

You can buy tickets from the pub or by calling Mrs Critchley on 07940 007 099.