Eight-year-old Kevin Nightingale was left with serious head injuries after the incident in Marigold Walk, West Harton, South Shields, on Friday, May 2.

But his mum, Emma Butler, has told how he never cried once as he battled his way back to health.

He has now returned home after spending more than two weeks at Newcastle General Hospital.

Mum Emma Butler, 26, who was at his bedside throughout his stay, said the three days he spent in intensive care were "the worst days of my life".

She added: "The thing I worried about most was whether he would recognise me when he woke up."

Kevin was staying with his grandmother Julie Nightingale, 43, when the incident happened.

It is believed he had been playing out with friends when he climbed on the back of the flatbed truck and fell off as it turned a corner.

He suffered a fractured skull, but was conscious when he arrived by ambulance at South Tyneside District Hospital.

Miss Butler, a barmaid, from Bamburgh Grove, Horsley Hill, South Shields, said: "I was getting ready to go out because it was my birthday on the Thursday and I was going out on the Friday.

"His auntie came to tell me he had fallen off the back of a milk truck and I had to go to the hospital.

"I expected him to have split his head open, but they had to put him to sleep because he was vomiting. It was a big shock.

"He was covered in tubes and they had him on a ventilator. It is really hard to talk about it because I am still upset.

"It was just a blur really, with doctors coming in to explain what was happening, but I can't really remember any of that."

The Seaview Primary School pupil was transferred to Newcastle General, where dad Kevin Nightingale, 26, also kept a watchful eye over him until he was released on Sunday – with barely a scratch on him.

Miss Butler, also mum to Naomi Nightingale, seven, said: "He's never cried once. He was really brave actually. I've been calling him 'milk boy' and he just laughs.

"The doctors have said it was a miracle recovery. They just can't believe how well he's done."

Kevin is expected to be well enough to return to school after half-term, but has been told he can't play football for six months, because he has to avoid contact sports for a while.

Miss Butler, who is separated from Kevin's dad, added: "It is really nice to have him home."

•A 48-year-old mas was arrested after the incident and released pending further inquiries.