3 JULY 2002
EastEnders actress Kim Medcalf is recovering in hospital after being injured in a car crash in northern France, it has emerged.

Kim, who plays Queen Vic barmaid Sam Butcher in the hit BBC soap, was on the first day of a two-week holiday, travelling with her boyfriend Sam Grant en route to Italy, when the accident happened near Calais.

The soap star was left with a broken leg, hand and breast bone. Sam, who escaped with minor injuries, said: “It was getting dark and we were driving down a small road when we hit a car coming in the other direction. I suppose we are lucky because it could have been so much worse. Kim should be allowed home by the weekend.”

A BBC spokesman said the EastEnders cast had sent the 28-year-old actress their best wishes. “She’s still in France and will return to the UK when she’s fit to travel. The main priority is that she gets better and doesn’t even think about returning to work until she’s recovered.

“Everybody at EastEnders have said their thoughts are with her and they have sent her their best wishes for a speedy recovery.”