A teenage girl was today recovering in hospital after she was in a collision with a coach in Colchester.

Pedestrian Gemma Davies, 15, of Butt Road, was in a collision with the vehicle at the junction of Salisbury Avenue and Maldon Road at 1.15pm on Saturday.

Firefighters from the town were first on the scene - they saw the incident as they were returning from a call.

They gave Gemma first aid and tended to her until paramedics arrived.

She was taken to Colchester General Hospital with serious head injuries.

Her condition was today described as satisfactory.

Firefighters who helped are due to visit Gemma in hospital this evening and give her a special brigade "trauma" teddy.

Police today appealed for witnesses to come forward to find out exactly what happened.

The coach was being driven by John Podgorski, of Maldon Road, who was not hurt.

Anyone with information about the accident should contact PC Dave Grimshaw at Stanway traffic police on 01206 762512.

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