The family of a schoolgirl knocked down by a police van say she is now in a stable condition and “out of bed”.
The 11-year-old was airlifted to the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital after being hit by the van in Elgin on Saturday.
She was originally taken to Dr Gray’s, but was later transferred to Aberdeen by helicopter in a serious condition.
Last night, her parents said: “Our 11-year-old daughter is now in a stable condition and is up and moving and out of bed.
“We appreciate all the good wishes and support from everyone and the most important thing for us right now is to concentrate on our little girl’s recovery.”
The incident took place at 6.50pm on the A941 Lossiemouth road, near its junction with Gray’s Walk, while the male police officer was on a routine patrol.
The girl is understood to live near to where the accident took place.
The Police Independent Review Commission (Pirc) is now investigating.
In the meantime, the girl’s classmates, parents and teachers are being offered support.
Elgin City North councillor Patsy Gowans added: “All that people around the town are hoping for is that this girl recovers soon and is home with her family.”
It appeared that the police van was heading north out of the town, on a stretch of the route with a 40mph speed limit, when it hit the girl.
The Pirc will consider if there was anything the police officer could have done to avoid the collision. The findings will ultimately be scrutinised by force top brass.
A spokesman said: “The matter has been referred to us by Police Scotland for investigation, and a report on the findings will be submitted to the Deputy Chief Constable (Iain Livingston) in due course.”
The spokesman added that there are “no set timescales” for when the inquiry will conclude.
Officers have asked that anyone who witnessed the crash call 101 to report what they saw.
