Swine flu schoolgirl defies medics

THE Highgate schoolgirl fighting for her life in Greece after contracting swine flu has overcome doctors fears and regained consciousness. Natasha Newman, 16, has spoken to her parents for the first time in 10 days from her hospital bed in Athens. She wa

THE Highgate schoolgirl fighting for her life in Greece after contracting swine flu has overcome doctors' fears and regained consciousness.

Natasha Newman, 16, has spoken to her parents for the first time in 10 days from her hospital bed in Athens.

She was airlifted to an intensive care unit in Athens last week after falling critically ill on the island of Cephalonia.

Her treating physician Mariza Vasilopoulou told journalists: "She is much improved and for the first time fully conscious and alert.

"Today she even exchanged words with her mother and father which brought them immense joy."

The teenager, who is a pupil at Gordonstoun public school, in Elgin, Scotland, had been island-hopping with her parents Julian Newman and theatrical agent Nikki Boughton.