Surrey Comet features editor June Sampson was hit by a car driven by a Kingston Hospital doctor, her family said today.

The 80-year-old suffered pelvic injuries, broken bones in her legs and a severe head injury with a bleed on the brain during the incident in Galsworthy Road on Tuesday evening at about 7pm.

She also suffered punctured ribs, believed to be as a result of CPR performed on her.

A member of staff at St George's intensive care unit said this afternoon: "I’m pleased to say she’s awake and stable but certainly there will be a lot of ongoing rehabilitation and hopefully progress."

She was unconscious but showing signs of fight this afternoon, clenching her right fist and showing some signs of speech.

Her daughter Anna Tims, who is a Guardian journalist, said: "They think she can hear even if she is unconscious. They think they got a few words out of her today.

"They were going to operate yesterday but didn't. They were very aware about her left side. She's moving [her right] and clenching her first but her left side was completely dead.

"Today there was small movement in her left arm. She is breathing unaided but has broken ribs which we think is due to the CPR.

"It is too early to assess brain damage from the bleeding, if any. Her left eye is very swollen."

She said police had visited yesterday and were interviewing the doctor today.

The doctor, who lives in Cambridge but has a flat in Kingston, has been questioned but not arrested.

Ms Tims said: "Poor bugger [the doctor]. I feel very sorry for him. He is traumatised and he is asking for updates.

“He stopped and launched into doctor mode and started to treat her. There was also a nurse at the bus stop.

“She was always very set on crossing at the crossing.”

Police initially said injuries to Mrs Sampson, whose married name is Tims, were life-threatening, cordoning off the road and beginning an investigation into the collision.

Numerous messages of support have been received which her family hope to read to her at her bedside in St George’s Hospital’s neuro intensive care unit.

Her husband Hilton Tims, a former Comet news editor and music critic, said: “As I said to the nurse 'she is a tough old bird'.

"We are so grateful for all the messages we have received.

"She is obviously a very popular lady and we are saving them all up. 

"When she is capable she can see them herself."

Send your message of support to June and her family by emailing letters@surreycomet.co.uk and we will print them online.

Police are still asking anyone with information about the crash to call 020 8941 9011 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

"I just kissed her and told her I love her"

Rita Gillen, 70, a former Surrey Comet receptionist and friend, visited June in St George's Hospital on Thursday afternoon.

She said: "I couldn't talk to her obviously. She was out of it. I just spoke to her. I was just saying 'I know we were supposed to meet up but I didn't think it would be coming here.'

"June is such a vibrant person, to see her lying there really upset me."

She echoed others in saying how careful June normally would be crossing the road, during lunch outings from the office when the Comet offices were based in north Cheam.

"I would be the one dsashing along the road and she would always be so careful.

"She just looked so vulnerable lying there. I couldn't hold her hand as they were so grazed. I held her little finger.

"I just gave her a couple of kisses and told her I loved her and hope to see her again."

Your messages of support

David Lindsell, assistant editor. "June, everybody at the Comet admires you and loves you to bits. Please get well soon and get yourself back to the office at once."

Jennifer Butterworth, chairman of the Kingston Society. "Committee and members, wish to send their very best wishes to June, Hilton and family at this awful time.  If June and the family can derive strength from our fervent wishes on their behalf, we would feel we had achieved something."

Sean Duggan, former Surrey Comet editor "I am shocked but know how much of a fighter June is. If anyone can recover from this it is her.

 

"Please let Hilton know my thoughts are with them both."

Annita & Tony Barbieri. "June is a fighter.
"We wish her a speedy recovery and our thoughts are with Hilton and Anna at this very upsetting time.
"They are such a lovely family and an inspiration to all who have met them."

The staff at Rococo Restaurant wish you a speedy recovery.  Regards Emily xxx

So sorry to hear of your accident. You are in our thoughts and prayers, and we hope you will soon be fighting fit again.
Lots of love,
Shaan Everson, Tim and family xxx

@SurreyComet Such bad-news! Those who have met her will know how much of humble spirit she is. I really hope she gets well soon!

— Ashley (@ashley_redz) November 28, 2013

@kingstonnewsed @SurreyComet so sorry to hear about June's accident :-( xx hope she makes a full and speedy recovery xx

— kellie pocock (@KelliePocock) November 27, 2013
 

@kingstonnewsed @aliceosharman @Alex_Harris1991 that's awful, June was lovely to me on my placement. Get better soon June xxx

— Ellie Chambers (@Chambers91) November 27, 2013

@kingstonnewsed @samblackledge Oh my god. Poor June. Thinking of her.

— T Portilho-Shrimpton (@Selkie) November 27, 2013

@kingstonnewsed just heard this via a colleague. Hope she makes full recovery: pass on my best wishes to a Kingston legend #goodluck

— Mike Underwood (@ks_mikey) November 27, 2013

@kingstonnewsed That's terrible news David. I'm thinking of her.

— Chris Wickham (@chriswickham1) November 27, 2013

@kingstonnewsed Terrible news, my thoughts are with her.

— Colin (@obicolkenobi) November 27, 2013

@kingstonnewsed That's terrible news David. I'm thinking of her.

— Chris Wickham (@chriswickham1) November 27, 2013

@kingstonnewsed Get well soon, June.

— Rob Corp (@inmyanorak) November 27, 2013
 

@kingstonnewsed Oh dear how awful - I hope she makes a full recovery.

— Trippy Pip (@TrippyPip) November 27, 2013

Terrible news about @SurreyComet June Sampson. I hope she has a speedy recovery.

— Kate Macauley (@MissKMacauley) November 27, 2013

Just heard about June terrible news wishing her a speedy recovery @SurreyComet

— lene wood (@lenewood) November 27, 2013

@SurreyComet All of our love to June. What a fantastic, generous and thoughtful individual, so sad and shocking, Get Well!

— Kingston Museum (@KingstonMuseum) November 27, 2013

So sorry to hear the dreadful news about @JSampsonComet from @SurreyComet she is a lovely, lovely lady! Thinking of you June.

— Louise Wood (@millymollyone) November 27, 2013

@SurreyComet Oh my goodness I hope she gets better soon! Terrible news

— Hannah Crompton (@hcjourno) November 27, 2013

Our thoughts are with June Sampson, features editor of the @SurreyComet who is in intensive care after she was hit by a car in Kingston.

— Kingston upon Thames (@KingstonThames) November 27, 2013

@KingstonThames @SurreyComet Do hope she'll be ok. Sending our best wishes.

— Retro Bistrot (@RetroBistrot) November 27, 2013

From Facebook

Megan Naylor Sending thoughts and prayers for a good recovery x

Geoffrey Austin How awful. Hope she makes a speedy recovery.

Lynne Forsyth Oh my goodness. Get well soon June

Pauline Woods So sorry to hear that I wish June a very speedy recovery
Tracey Owen How awful get well quickly June