A CONCERNED aunt today spoke of the "hell" her family had been through after her nine-year-old nephew was hit by a bus and suffered serious head injuries.

Adam Razaq, of Clarence Street, Darwen, was left in a critical condition but has since stabilised and improved after doctors operated to remove the pressure in his head.

His aunt, Jane Razaq, said: "It's been absolute hell but we can see some improvement. He's even twitching his toes."

But she said that the worry was not yet over because doctors did not know when Adam would regain consciousness or what the side effects will be. For example, he could well suffer memory loss.

He was on his way to Belper Street swimming baths with his cousin Christopher, 11, and a friend when the accident happened on Whalley Old Road last Wednesday afternoon.

Adam was hit by a Blackburn Transport double decker bus as he tried to cross the road.

Mrs Razaq said it was thought that his head struck the kerb after the bus collided with him.

"The driver called the ambulance and Adam was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary before being transferred to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

"He was conscious after he was hit but the doctors sedated him because he was crying and in so much pain."

Adam's parents Lynne and Tariq left work, rushed to the hospital and have stayed by his side ever since.

They have been joined by Adam's grandmother who has stayed alternate nights at the hospital.

Jane said: "They've been sick with worry because the medical staff could not stabilise him at first. But that situation changed after they operated on him.

"It's been an awful time for us all. Adam is just a normal boy who doesn't get into anything more adventurous than other lads his age.

"He'd been staying at his grandmother's in Notre Dame Gardens with his cousin over the summer holidays because his parents work and he'd gone to the baths everyday since he'd been there. He isn't a boy who takes silly risks."