Devastated friends have launched an appeal for a schoolgirl who has emerged from a coma after being hit by a car in Witney.

Schoolfriends have set up a fundraising campaign for Alice Kavanagh, who they describe as "kind" and "incredibly loved".

Alice, 17, had got off a bus on her way to an after school job when she was struck close to the roundabout junction with the A40 near Minster Lovell on November 2.

In a critical condition with head injuries, she was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital where she remained in a deep coma for 18 days.

She finally awoke on November 20.

Now her friends at The Marlborough School in Woodstock have launched an appeal to help her rehabilitation.

Ava Marsh, 17, said: "What made me start the appeal was when I visited her in hospital. She was in a coma and it was really distressing how powerless I felt.

"I felt I could not console her family. The family were very, very upset. To be honest, they were just happy she was alive.

"Her mum was crying throughout my visit and I could not comfort her."

She explained: “Alice was going to her after-school job and got off the bus and ran across the road from behind the bus when she was hit.

"She had several serious injuries including damage to her head. It's described as a stage 2 diffuse axonal injury and it means her quality of life if she fully wakes up will be altered and she will require extensive rehabilitation and care.

"I think it means there is a damage to a connection with neurons, it’s damage to the brain."

However, Alice's team of neurologists tried a new drug on her and on November 20, she woke up.

"It's amazing news and her family are elated," said Ava.

"But obviously it’s quite seriously affected her life. She’s not in school and obviously this will be a huge thing.

"She did apply to Oxford and some other good universities to do Physics or Maths but I don’t know if she got as far as her interviews.

"We’re in the sixth form, in our final year, and she will probably have to retake the year."

Ava describes her friend as "intelligent and kind with so much potential".

She said: "Alice is a bright and courageous person and is incredibly loved at Marlborough. We miss her dearly and know that she will be fighting hard to learn to live normally."

Alice's sister and family are by her side, spending much of their time with her in hospital.

Ava said: "We have launched this appeal to help her family with transport and care costs related to Alice’s care in the ICU.

"We also want Alice to have funding to help her to catch up with her studies and help to compensate her for not having income from her job."

Ava, Theo, friends and family have set out to raise £2,500 and hope it will help the family in the tough months which lie ahead.

Ava added: "Please donate whatever you can for our wonderful friend and thank you for your kindness."

Thames Valley Police said no arrests have been made and a police investigation is ongoing.

To donate, go to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/alice-kavanagh

 

 

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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