A CRASH victim may walk again after learning her spine has not been broken.

The family of Kathryn Gottweiss, aged 20, was told the good news following tests at Royal Preston Hospital.

Kathryn, of Spring Meadow, Darwen, and boyfriend David Pagett, 37, of Lilford Street, Leigh, were involved in a five-vehicle pile-up on the motorway four weeks ago after a Granada car was allegedly left abandoned in the middle lane of the M61 north of Bolton.

Kathryn was flung out of the car she was travelling in and is still in intensive care but is now out of danger.

Mr Pagett, who suffered a chipped breast bone and is still in pain, has spent almost every night at his girlfriend's bedside.

He said: "This is a tremendous ray of hope in the gloom of this terrible accident.

"We have every confidence that Kathryn will be able to walk again, but we are still being cautious."

Doctors will transfer Kathryn in the next few days to the specialist spinal injuries ward at Southport Hospital. She will have consultants to assess the damage to her spinal cord.

Then her family hope she will be able to be treated for her back injuries.

Kathryn still cannot speak, and her family have to lip read to understand her.

Mr Pagett, a DJ, added: "With love from myself and her family we are doing all we can to help her pull through. She wants me there by her bedside every night and I am willing to do anything she wants.

"I would do anything to help her."

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