Cellar girl Kerstin Fritzl reunites with family - with a simple 'hello'

London, June 12 : Cellar girl Kerstin Fritzl, who was held captive since her birth by her incest dad Josef Fritzl in a basement, was reunited with her family with a simple hello, a doctor has revealed.

Doctors treating the family have described the "emotional reunion" as well as the dramatic moment when the 19-year-old awakened after more than a month in a coma.

Kerstin, 19, joined her family for a new life at an apartment they have been given at the clinic helping their recovery.

"It was an extraordinary moment when Kerstin, holding my arm, and I were able to walk through the door into a new home, crossing the threshold into a new life," The Sun quoted Dr Albert Reiter, as saying.

"The entire family is very happy that they are all together for the first time," he added.

Kerstin was welcomed by her mum Elisabeth, and her brothers Felix, six, and Stefan, 18, who lived with her in the basement under Josef Fritzl's home in Amstetten, Austria.

Also there was Josef's wife Rosemarie along with Lisa, 16, Monika, 14, and Alexander, 12, the three children Fritzl had allowed to live a "normal" existence above ground.

Family lawyer Christoph Herbst said Elisabeth, 42, is now determined to keep the family together.

"The family all want to live together. There is a real desire to be with one another. To be together is something very precious indeed," Herbst said.

A clinic source said: "Since Kerstin woke up, Elisabeth appears to be relaxed - almost merry. When Felix climbs stairs he acts like a two-year-old. It is something he couldn't practice in the cellar."

Kerstin's hospitalisation in April brought to light the shocking Austrian incest case, wherein incest monster Fritzl had imprisoned his daughter Elisabeth in a basement under his home for 24 years and fathered seven children with her.

ANI