Layla Redfern is likely to have to remain in hospital for months after suffering a severe brain injury
Layla Redfern(Image: Michael Redfern)
A family member of a schoolgirl who has been left seriously injured after being hit by a car has spoken of her loved ones’ devastating ‘waiting game.’ Layla Redfern was walking to school in East Yorkshire when she was struck by a convertible Mercedes.
The 12-year-old was airlifted to hospital with a severe brain injury. Layla, who was ‘full of life’ beforehand, was in a coma for two weeks following the crash in Hull, which happened at around 7.45am on November 13, her uncle, Michael Redfern, said.
He said her family were now having to ‘take each day as it comes’ as they awaited her prognosis, but said she was likely to have to remain in hospital ‘for at least six months.’
“She got airlifted straight to Sheffield hospital and there she was in a coma for two weeks” Mr Redfern told Hull Live. “She still can’t speak, she can’t sit, has had some of her skull taken out to relieve the pressure. She can’t eat, she can’t have any fluids, it’s all through tubes.”
“We are going to take each day as it comes” he continued. “It’s just a waiting game and seeing what the outcome will be. She has still got a couple of operations coming up.”
Mr Redfern said his sister, Sarah Redfern, and his mother, Anita Redfern, have remained by Layla’s bedside in hospital ‘since the second it happened.’
He said his niece Layla is repeatedly ‘back and forwards for surgery’ and that the harrowing experience has proved extremely stressful for the family.
Speaking on Sunday, he said: “Yesterday, I took Sarah’s younger daughter to hospital so she could see her sister for a couple of hours. She hadn’t seen her since it happened.”
A 26-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after the crash on Holderness Road. In a statement at the time, a Humberside Police spokesman said: “It is reported a silver Mercedes E220 convertible, and a pedestrian were in collision near to the pedestrian crossing between Bilton roundabout and Diadem roundabout.”
Mr Redfern is now raising money to support the family while Layla is in hospital. He said donated funds will assist his mother and sister with travel costs, as well as food and accommodation in Sheffield once they’re unable to remain at the hospital.
The money will also cover adaptations to enable Layla to return home . The GoFundMe has so far raised almost £3,000. You can find out more and donate HERE.