Hope is growing for John

For the first time since the accident, when 12-year-old John Hardaker ran into the path of a car, his brothers were yesterday set to visit his hospital bedside.

The Laisterdyke youngster is believed to have suffered brain damage in the accident on New Year's Eve and has been kept under sedation while fluid on his lungs clears. His parents John and Maureen, of Steadman Terrace, have conducted a bedside vigil and now hope the Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College pupil could be out of the unit in days.

His grandfather, Kenneth Hard-aker, said today: "His parents rang me from the hospital and had some good news. They said John was responding well as they slowly brought him off the sedation. The fluid appears to be clearing from his lungs.

"He has a tube in his throat and cannot speak but when people speak to him he can respond by moving his hands or eyes."

John's brothers Christopher, 18, and Nicholas, 16, were to visit him for the first time last night.

The news came as John's classmates sent him a get well message and said prayers for the youngster at a special mass.

John suffered head injuries and a broken leg after running into the path of a Ford Orion while trying to retrieve a hat from the middle of the road near his home.

Steve Waterhouse, head of Year Seven at the school, said John's grandfather Kenneth Hardaker broke the news to head teacher Margaret Christie on Tuesday.

He said: "John's only been at the school since September but he is a very bright pupil and well liked. This accident was a great shock.

"His classmates have collected money to buy him a present and have made him a get well card. We are a Catholic school so we have all been praying for John. Everyone just wants him to get better."

A spokesman for Leeds General Infirmary where he is being treated said his condition was stable.

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