Injured bus boy is conscious

A 10-year-old boy critically injured in a bus crash has regained consciousness.

Harald Hjerting and his father Bert, 61, were dragged under a double-decker bus as it collided with a single decker before mounting the pavement and smashing through a garden wall.

Mr Hjerting, originally from Norway, was pronounced dead at the scene but firefighters freed Harald with cutting equipment and he was taken by air ambulance to the Royal London Hospital with serious chest injuries.

He was later transferred to St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, for specialist treatment.

Police said that although Harald remained in a critical condition, after four days in intensive care he had now regained consciousness.

He has been told that his father has been killed. His mother Marianne, from Temple Fortune, who has been keeping a 24-hour vigil at his hospital bedside, is too distraught to speak.

The accident happened after the double- decker rail replacement bus collided with a single-decker route 210 bus as both travelled west along North End Road in Golders Green.

The female double-decker driver was treated for cuts and five other passengers were treated at the Whittington Hospital.

Police are keen to build a clearer picture of the crash, which happened opposite Alfred School shortly before

3.50pm on Saturday.

Anyone who saw the accident should call officers on 020 8998 5319.