THE family of a four-year-old girl hit by a car on a zebra crossing are celebrating as she prepares to leave hospital for the first time in three weeks. 

Little Ella Heels, from Rayleigh, has undergone multiple surgeries, including skin grafts, after she was hit by the car in Hockley Road, Rayleigh. 

Her family were initially told she could face up to six months in hospital as she recovered but after making huge progress she will return home before the end of the week. 

Happy - Amy Maria and Ella Heels Happy - Amy Maria and Ella Heels (Image: Amy Maria)


Mum Amy Maria has been told after a further successful skin graft yesterday, Ella is now ready to make the trip back home. 

She said: “I am absolutely flabbergasted and overjoyed by the news. It is so happy to be having her come home.

“Ella is doing alright. When I told her, she jumped up and down and is so happy. It is amazing and she will hopefully be going back to school, not next term but the one after.

“We are being discharged by Friday. We are going to bring Ella home and do a ‘boo she is home’ with her siblings.

“She has just had another skin graft surgery and is doing amazing. The graft involves taking the first two layers of skin from her head and is already healed. She has plasters around the stitches and the graft has taken beautifully.”

Thumbs-up - Ella Heels Thumbs-up - Ella Heels (Image: Amy Maria) Healing - Ella after a recent skin graft Healing - Ella after a recent skin graft (Image: Amy Maria)


Following the crash on September 20, Ella was left with third degree burns and a number of facial injuries. 

The youngster was walking home from Edward Frances Primary School when she was hit by the car and a successful campaign launched by councillors and residents has seen Essex County Council agree for a new school crossing patrol to be introduced. 

Although Ella will be coming back home, she will still require further treatment in the future. 

Amy added: “We have been told doctors are happy with our home and life can go back to normal until Ella gets a bit older.

“She will need surgery over the years but as it stands, she is done with surgery. It is superhuman how she healed. It was going to take up to six months and she is being discharged after three.”

A fundraiser to support Ella’s recovery has raised £4,050 to help the family financially while Ella has been in hospital.

To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/rxz3tu-ellas-recovery