SLOWLY, but surely, the family of the woman seriously injured when she fell under a bus in Ipswich are starting to be able to look forward to her recovery.

SLOWLY, but surely, the family of the woman seriously injured when she fell under a bus in Ipswich are starting to be able to look forward to her recovery.

Lisa Holmes has been able to say a few words to her husband Rob - and now the family are hoping that she will be moved to a general ward later this week.

As a delighted Mr Holmes spoke of the family's hopes today, he also issued a heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped during and after the crisis on February 22.

Rob Holmes said Lisa had made a slight improvement in her condition at Addenbrooke's Hospital following the freak accident.

The pair had been out shopping to buy items for their daughter Ciara's first birthday which was just two days after the accident happened.

Mr Holmes of Whitethorn Road, Purdis Farm, said he had taken Ciara in her pushchair and was due to meet up with his wife when he spotted the drama taking place in Tacket Street.

He said: “I saw it was her and just thought 'no, no, no' and then I just went on to autopilot.”

Mr Holmes said he was grateful to Stefano Palladino from Giovanni's Hairdressers, in Tacket Street who took care of Ciara at the scene enabling him to concentrate on his wife, holding her hand and talking to her.

Mrs Holmes, 39, fell into a sedated coma initially but has now been transferred from the critical care unit to the high dependency unit at Addenbrooke's in Cambridge.

The mother-of-one was initially taken to Ipswich Hospital before being transferred to Cambridge.

Mr Holmes, a chartered surveyor for Bidwells, said: “I want to thank staff from the fire service, the ambulance service and the police and the gentleman who was first on the scene and helped Lisa.

“They and the accident and emergency department at Ipswich Hospital and the Neuroscience critical care unit at Addenbrooke's have obviously saved her life.

“She is obviously still ill but has taken a step forward in moving to the high dependency unit.”

Mr Holmes, 36, said his wife still faces a long rehabilitation period. However he said he has had fantastic support from friends, family and colleagues since the accident.

He said: “People have rallied round. We have had so many offers of help. It has been overwhelming. At times like this you know who your friends are.”