Air cadet James Topping, critically injured in a coach crash in which three youngsters died, is finally awake ,, but has not been told his friend was killed.

Air cadet James Topping, critically injured in a coach crash in which three youngsters died, is finally awake ,, but has not been told his friend was killed.

Doctors don't want to endanger 15-year-old James's recovery by shocking him with the news of Wayne Maynard's death.

The friends, from 1374 (East Barnet) Squadron Air Training Corps, were travelling in an RAF coach near Peterborough when a 38-ton lorry ploughed into the back of it on August 21.

Wayne, 18, of Brent Place, Barnet, was killed in the crash while James, of Meadway, Barnet, suffered severe head and spinal injuries.

He spent more than two weeks in the paediatric intensive care unit at Addenbrooke's hospital in Cambridge but has now been moved to a normal children's ward.

Malcolm Wood, commanding officer of 1374 Squadron, said: 'It was touch and go at one stage and a lot of people would have given up, but James is one of life's survivors.

'I don't think they have spoken to him about the accident yet. He doesn't know of the other injuries or deaths. They have not told him on purpose because they want his injuries to mend and don't want him in shock.'

An estimated 1,000 mourners attended Wayne's funeral on September 4, which included prayers for James. Although he has not spoken and is still heavily sedated, James has been sitting up in bed looking at aircraft magazines with friends. He has also been able to walk with support.

Mr Wood added: 'He's completely out of danger. At some stage they will move him to Barnet Hospital but we don't know when that will be yet.'

An investigation into the cause of the coach crash is continuing.