Teenage crash victim Erika Thompson could be back at school by the end of January.

The 16-year-old Bermudian was seriously injured in a road crash in Canada earlier this month but after a series of operations, doctors hope she can continue her recovery back at school.

Erika, whose father John Thompson and mother Lee-Valli Thompson have been at her bedside in Nova Scotia, suffered massive back and stomach injuries in the accident.

Doctors feared the injuries on her broken back could have left permanent damage but the operation proved a success.

Yesterday, Mr. Thompson, speaking from the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, said the four and a half hour operation had been a triumph.

He said pins and plates had been inserted and the back had been realigned.

Erika was trying to walk for the first time since the crash, which happened on icy roads outside Halifax during a birthday outing for Erika and her twin sister Nina early in December.

She was wearing a brace and was making good progress, despite being very weak from traumatic injuries she sustained, he said.

Louts told to `stay away' St. George's Mayor Lois Perinchief has issued a New Year appeal to louts to stay away from the town.

Mrs. Perinchief said the old capital's traditional New Year's Eve celebrations would take place as usual -- with Police on the lookout for trouble.

Groups of youths spoiled last year's December 31 party when they started fights in the run-up to midnight.

But Mrs. Perinchief said: "We don't want any of that again.

"It will not be tolerated and while we want lots of young people there, we want them to have fun by behaving themselves, not causing trouble.

"It's a night for friends and family and celebrations and dancing -- not trouble.'' She said the party would start with music just after 7 p.m. and last until almost 1 a.m.

Local band Legacy will play between 10 p.m. and 12.30 a.m.

Next year will be brought in by the traditional lowering of the onion in the town square, followed by a fireworks display.

Meanwhile, severe damage to her stomach has meant the teenager has also had to endure more surgery.

Nina only suffered minor injuries in the crash and was released after treatment.

She is due to return to boarding school in Nova Scotia at the weekend.

Mr. Thompson said it was anticipated that Erika's recovery in hospital would last until the end of January, before she returned to school to continue her rehabilitation.

Her recuperation could take up to three months, he added.