HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition demanding a crossing assistant is employed at a zebra crossing where a four-year-old girl was hit by a car.

Edward Francis Primary School pupil Ella Heels was left with catastrophic injuries and is facing six months in hospital as she recovers from third degree burns following the crash on Friday.

The youngster was hit by a car on Hockley Road, Rayleigh, while using a zebra crossing frequently used by pupils at the primary school and Fitzwimarc secondary school pupils.

Now, Lib Dem councillors in Rochford have launched a petition demanding an crossing assistant is put in place by Essex County Council.

The petition has been signed by almost 900 people in just 24 hours.

Campaign - Rochford Lib Dem councillor David SharpCampaign - Rochford Lib Dem councillor David Sharp (Image: Provided)

Rochford Council leader, James Newport, said: “How many more accidents will we see between now and when action is taken, parents are rightfully up in arms as are residents, demanding that action is taken urgently.

“Essex County Council must redefine their version of ‘urgent’, they must beat the bureaucracy and make sure that public safety is a priority and that they get on and do something about this.

“We have a petition to petition the council to put in a school crossing patrol in the area and my experience tells me that would be the quickest thing to implement before a highways scheme for a signal crossing.

“So far in a matter of 24 hours, 859 people have signed, there is a strong public demand to take action.”

In hospital - Ella HeelsIn hospital - Ella Heels (Image: Family handout)

Mr Newport added that councillors have been in touch with Essex County Council and they are conducting a review into safety, which he added “can’t come soon enough.”

He said: “We don’t want more accidents, this is a terrible situation we find ourselves in and my heart goes out to the parents and to Ella, I wish her a speedy recovery.”

The petition notes Edward Francis Primary School in Uplands Park Road and Fitzwimarc School in Hockley Road as the two places that would benefit from a school crossing patrol, and notes that though there is a zebra crossing, “many cars fail to stop there.”

To view the petition visit rochfordandcastlepointlibdems.org.uk/our-campaigns/school-crossing-patrol-for-hockley-road.