Pc who helped little Amy after car horror becomes her godfather

But seven years later, he has become Amy's godfather - and the eight-year-old is going from strength to strength.

Her recovery has been hailed a 'miracle' and her family used her christening as a chance to thank Pc Duckham, who has become a part of the youngster's life.

Tears flowed and the congregation at Wednesbury's St Bartholomew's Church bristled with pride as the traffic officer and his fellow godparents made their vows to the delight of beaming Amy.

And there were no clues to the medical odds she has defied to make it this far.

In October 2007 Amy, then just two, technically died for almost 20 minutes following an accident that saw her crushed beneath the wheels of her family car.

Pc Duckham - who has served with West Midlands Police for 19 years - arrived at the car-park in Darlaston's Crescent Road, near the family's home, to find the toddler pinned beneath its back wheels and firecrews desperately trying to free her.

She had stopped breathing and, though paramedics managed to resuscitate her, doctors at Birmingham Children's Hospital told Pc Duckham - who was assigned as the family liaison officer - he needed to prepare mum Caroline and dad Gavin for grave news.

Little Amy was on a life support machine having suffered serious crush injuries and she was not expected to make it through the night.

He said: "Seeing Amy on life support and hearing cherished memories from her mum and dad was the most painful thing I've experienced in nearly 20 years as a police officer. I had two young children myself and I couldn't imagine what they were going through.

"The following morning, as doctors prepared to switch off her machine, she showed signs of life and started breathing for herself."

He stayed in regular contact, including on rest days, and long after his professional commitment as a family liaison officer he kept in touch, bought birthday and Christmas presents and joined family days out.

And four years ago Amy's mother Caroline - with some prompting from Amy - asked if he would be Amy's Godfather.

She said: "Jon has been a part of Amy's life since the accident; the bond they have is unbelievable and nothing can break it. I'm delighted to have Jon part of our lives - he was the obvious choice as Amy's godfather.

"The support and help he offered was beyond belief. He helped us at our worst and I could never thank him enough. Amy loves him and there is no-one I would rather have as godfather. Now they will be able to keep their bond going in the years to come."

Amy still suffers some hearing, speech and movement difficulties as a result of her brain being starved of oxygen after the accident - but it's not stopped her being an enthusiastic member of a drama group and a dance academy. And she is making steady progress in school too.

Pc Duckham added: "As a liaison officer I'm there to help the family through their ordeal…but naturally after six months or so you step away and leave the family to re-build their lives.

"But this was different: you don't expect a little girl who is technically dead to make such a recovery. How do you cope with something like that and walk away? When the investigation finished I became a family friend and have stayed in touch ever since.

"I am truly honoured to be Amy's godfather."