THE parents of a nine-year-old girl who became trapped under a bus following an accident described how their daughter was "unbelievably lucky" to be alive.

Jackie Gregson is recovering in a high dependency unit at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, following the accident at 5.30pm yesterday.

She was on her way to a newsagents close to her home in School Street, Nelson, with her sister Zoe, 13, when she tripped or fell from the kerb and into the path of a single-deck Volvo bus.

She became trapped close to the vehicle's rear wheels and had to be rescued by firefighters following the accident in Manchester Road, Nelson.

Sub officer Tony Spencer said: "It is a miracle she escaped without even more serious injuries. She was very, very lucky."

Jackie's mum, Margaret Fuller, said: "She escaped without a broken bone to her body but her lungs were bleeding and she has a burst blood vessel behind her right eye. She was transferred to the high dependency unit at Pendlebury because she was struggling to breathe.

"When I left at 4am her condition was described as comfortable but I have been warned it could be months before she is better. Her face is a mess, all scratches and bruises and her eyes badly swollen."

Step-dad Michael Fuller said: "Although her injuries are serious she was unbelievably lucky not to have been killed."

At school Jackie enjoys writing poetry and has had some published. She also plays the flute and is a keen member of the school orchestra.

Jackie was attended by paramedics and a doctor at the scene, which was close to the Traffic lights in Lomeshaye Road.

Traffic Sgt Eric Marshall said: "It seems she has run from the offside of the road towards the bus, come into contact with it and then gone underneath."

When rescue teams arrived she was stuck close to the back wheels, beneath the side of the vehicle.

Mr Spencer said: "We were able to ease her out. She was put on a spine board and taken to hospital."

Driver of the Burnley and Pendle Transport bus Keith Baldwin, 58, of Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, was not hurt.

In the past footage from CCTV cameras fitted in buses has been used to reconstruct accident details.

A spokesman for Burnley and Pendle Transport said: "The bus involved in this accident did not have a camera fitted.

"However, we are co-operating with the investigation, which is ongoing."

The road remained closed for some time following the rescue as accident investigators examined the scene.

Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information is asked to contact PC 1290 Derek Scott at the road traffic unit at Colne on 01282 472431.