Britney Spears' eight-year-old niece has regained consciousness following a potentially life-threatening accident two days ago. Maddie – the daughter of Britney's younger sister Jamie Lynn Spears – was airlifted to hospital on Sunday after the all-terrain vehicle she was in flipped over into the family's pond, leaving her trapped underwater for two minutes. She has been in a stable but critical condition even since, but has now woken up and is able to speak to her family.
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"She is aware of her surroundings and recognises those family members who have kept a round the clock vigil since the accident," a hospital representative told People. "Doctors were able to remove the ventilator today and she is awake and talking. Maddie continues to receive oxygen and is being monitored closely, but it appears she has not suffered any neurological consequences from the accident."
Britney Spears' niece Maddie has regained consciousness following a near-fatal accident
On Sunday, Maddie was driving an ATV in the grounds of the home she shares with Jamie Lynn, 25, and husband Jamie Watson, when she steered to avoid driving over a drainage ditch, causing the vehicle to enter the pond. "The ATV and child were instantly submerged in the water right before their eyes," the police report read. "Within seconds, the child's mother, stepfather and other family members reached the pond, dove in and attempted to rescue the child to no avail."
It continued: "The child was trapped and secured by the seatbelt and the ATV’s safety netting. Within two minutes Acadian Ambulance Service arrived and assisted in freeing the child from the cold waters." Following the accident, Maddie's family asked fans and friends for support, with Britney tweeting: "Need all the wishes and prayers for my niece," on Monday. Concerned grandfather Jamie Spears added: "All I can say is pray for our baby Maddie."
Jamie Lynn Spears shared this video of daughter Maddie last week
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Maddie was born when Jamie Lynn was 17-years-old. Her father is Jamie Lynn's ex-boyfriend Casey Aldridge. After welcoming Maddie in June 2008, Jamie Lynn left Hollywood to raise her daughter in her native Louisiana. Speaking in the past about her little girl, Jamie Lynn told People: "She's got such a sweet heart. I feel like I've raised her with a lot of honesty, but I've also raised her with a lot of love. She's a very happy, content little girl, and there's nothing more a parent could ask for. That's my most proud accomplishment out of anything and always will be."
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