KEY POINTS:
A 16-year-old Pakuranga girl critically injured by a flying motorcycle has regained consciousness and vowed to ride again on the motocross track where she almost died.
Elaina Gentile remains in a stable condition, improving each day in Auckland City Hospital after an accident at the Ardmore Motocross Park on May 18 which left her fighting for her life and unconscious for more than a week.
A motocross rider herself, Elaina was watching racing when a rider landed badly after a jump and his motorcycle flew into the air and into her head.
Elaina's grandmother, who asked not to be named, told the Weekend Herald at the family's Pakuranga home last night that her granddaughter had regained consciousness a few days ago.
She said the Gentile family did not wish to see the track closed, after hearing of criticism surrounding safety measures.
"They don't want the track shut," she said. "They've been going there for years now. [Motocross] is one thing that she has always wanted to do."
Elaina had been involved in the sport for about three years and rode each week with her father, Tony. She loved the sport, which was her main interest.
The family was not angry about the circumstances of the accident and her grandmother said the first thing Elaina wanted to do when she was better was get back on her motorcycle.
