A MOTHER who was knocked down by a bus was recovering in hospital yesterday.

The 32-year-old woman and her two children were involved in an accident with a single-decker bus in Sunderland city centre on Friday, at 2pm.

A police spokesman said last night: "She is still at Sunderland Royal Hospital. Her family are aware. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening."

The woman, who has not been named, is believed to have been crossing Holmeside, next to the Savannah pub, when she was involved in an accident with a Stagecoach bus that was heading up Holmeside towards the Park Lane interchange.

All three casualties were treated by paramedics before being taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital.

The woman suffered serious head injuries, possibly a fractured skull, while her eight-year-old daughter was being treated for a broken collarbone.

Her 13-year-old brother was said to have escaped injury but was treated for shock.

Police closed the road for two hours after the accident.

The bus driver was interviewed at the scene and later returned to Stagecoach's Wheatsheaf depot, where he helped the company and the Vehicle Inspectorate with inquiries into the accident. Inspectors were examining the bus last night.

Stagecoach in Sunderland divisional traffic manager Robin Knight said the driver was a highly experienced local man who was extremely shocked by the incident. None of the passengers suffered injuries.

Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact 0191-454 7555, extension 66391.

* A pedestrian was knocked unconscious when he was involved in an accident with a lorry on Saturday.

The 60-year-old was crossing Southwick Road, in Sunderland, at 8.50am.

An ambulance and police attended the scene. He was taken to Sunderland District General Hospital with head injuries.