Rayleigh Ella Heels mum cried with happiness over improvements

Brave Ella Heels remains in hospital after being hit by the car on Hockley Road, Rayleigh, last month and has undergone multiple operations including skin grafts since. 

Following a petition from the Lib Dem group in Rochford, Essex County Council confirmed this week that a school crossing patrol officer has been approved and once a safety audit takes place recruitment will begin. 

Ella has been recovering well (Image: Amy-Marie)
The crossing is used by dozens of Edward Francis Primary School pupils every day, like Ella, as well as children at the nearby FitzWimarc Secondary School. 

Ella’s mum, Amy-Marie, described the decision by the council as “a huge weight” off her shoulders.

“I cried with happiness that something had been done. I’ll be forever grateful that this was managed to get done so quickly,” she said.

Cllr Michael Sutton has been pivotal to the campaign (Image: Amy-Marie)
Amy-Marie had been closely involved with efforts to implement a crossing assistant and hopes the campaign’s success can prevent other children from being injured.

She added: “It feels like a relief because all those other children are now safer and protected from similar incidents.”

Ella was hit shortly after she finished school for the day and suffered third degree burns to her face and arms.

The youngster recently underwent a skin graft (Image: Amy-Marie)
The four-year-old is currently being treated by specialists at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford and faces up to six months in hospital as doctors plan a complex series of treatments.

She suffered third degree burns among a number of injuries. 

In recent weeks, the youngster has undergone several operations including a recent skin graft.

Amy-Marie said that although Ella is doing well physically, she believes the psychological wounds will take longer to heal.

“She’s mentioning the accident more and more and is having nightmares about being stuck under the car,” she said.

Campaigners are now turning their attention to advancing road safety in other areas and want to to see another crossing installed closer to FitzWimarc Secondary School.