Bid to get Olly Murs to visit fan seriously injured in accident

MUSIC: Girl had tickets to singer’s Edinburgh gig but is stuck in hospital

Family and friends of a girl seriously injured in a road accident hope to persuade pop star Olly Murs to visit her in hospital.

Emma Pollock, 12, has been in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh since she was struck by a car in Kennoway on June 22.

She sustained a broken skull, femur and pelvis in the collision and is struggling to communicate.

A huge fan of the Troublemaker singer, Emma had been due to go to his concert on Tuesday at Edinburgh Castle.

However, she is expected to remain in hospital for six months so it is hoped that the star will come to her instead.

Family friend Karen Dewar has contacted Olly’s management company and a charity which works with the star and has launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #getollytovisitemma in the hope he will schedule a visit.

Emma’s mum Shirley Rankine said: “It would be so good for her. She has liked Olly Murs for a long time.

“One of her cousins got her a signed picture of him and she was so over the moon she fell asleep cuddling it that night.”

Emma’s speech started to return last weekend but Shirley said: “She started singing Olly Murs songs before she was speaking properly.”

A former Mountfleurie Primary School pupil, Emma had been due to start Bell Baxter High School, in Cupar, after the holidays but will instead continue to work with physiotherapists in the neurology ward as she tries to regain her mobility.

She was placed in an induced coma following the accident in Sandy Brae and spent 10 days in intensive care.

Having suffered trauma to both sides of her brain, it is not yet known how much she will recover.

The accident has been devastating for Shirley and Emma’s father Sam.

But Shirley said: “We’ve had amazing support, messages from all the world.”

She also paid tribute to the work of the police officers, paramedics and hospital staff who have tended to Emma, and said: “They are all so dedicated and caring, going beyond their call of duty.”

Shirley said Emma was doing really well and making progress.

“She is recognising us now and has a little speech, although communication is difficult and she is on a lot of medication.”

Murs will also perform at Dundee’s Slessor Gardens next Thursday before going on to Aberdeen and Inverness.

Emma with her signed photo of Olly.

Picture: PA. Singer Olly Murs on stage.