A MOTHER told today of the moment a freak accident could so easily have claimed the life of her schoolgirl daughter.

Surgeons at the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff operated on 13-year-old Kathleen Hillman after a scaffolding pole fell from a lorry and fractured her skull.

Her mum Sarah, 33, who spent a night and a day at her bedside, said: "Kathleen could have been dead. This unusual accident could have easily killed her. It was a very frightening and upsetting time for me and her dad. We thought we may lose her."

Kathleen, of Milfraen Avenue, was walking with her friend Carla Barnes along Ffosmaen Road in Nantyglo at 9pm on Monday night when the incident occurred.

Kathleen, the second oldest of nine children, was operated on at yesterday morning.

Her mum said: "When she started fitting and she couldn't talk I was thinking 'is she going to be like this for the rest of her life?' "A knock on the head can cause a lot of damage.

"Her dad said she seems a lot better this morning and she's eaten for the first time. She is going in for a brain scan this afternoon so they can find out the extent of any brain damage."

Doctors have moved Kathleen out of intensive care into a normal ward, but her condition is still being closely monitored.

Her friend, Carla, suffered only minor injuries and was later released from Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny.

Police say the driver of the lorry was arrested and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Kathleen's father, Martin Hillman, 36, spent last night at the hospital. Speaking before the operation, he said: "Accidents happen in this day and age and there is nothing you can do about it. I'm not blaming anyone, I'm just going to let the police do their job."

Meanwhile, Gwent police officers conducted door-to-door inquiries on Ffosmaen Road in a search for witnesses.

One neighbour, 60-year-old David Bristow, rushed to help the stricken girl lying on the road. He said: "I went outside and saw a little girl on the floor, quite distressed."

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to call Brynmawr police station on 01495 310773 or the Collision Investigation Unit on 01633 643091