Parents of young crash victim in 'slow down' plea

Ellie Vardy, from Eckington, remains in a serious condition in hospital more than seven weeks after a car in which she was a passenger was involved in a high-speed collision in Sheffield.

The 14-year-old suffered brain damage, a broken neck, internal injuries and fractured bones, and has only recently regained consciousness. She still depends on medical help with her feeding and breathing, and more than 5,000 people have joined a group on the website Facebook to offer messages of support.

Ellie's parents, Nicola and Paul Vardy, said the crash had "shattered their lives" and they urged all road users to take notice of the Road Safety Week campaign, which has the theme 'Kids Say Slow Down' and runs from November 22 to 28.

"Drivers need to slow down and take care when they are on the roads, as every collision can have potentially devastating consequences," they said.

"Ellie's condition shows the horrific impact a car crash can have on a child. The collision Ellie suffered has shattered our lives, and we are all desperate for her to make a full recovery and rejoin our family."

Kate Petchey, a serious injuries specialist at Yorkshire law firm Irwin Mitchell, who represent the Vardys, said: "Tragically, we deal with the aftermath of road traffic collisions on a daily basis, which are particularly distressing when they involve children. We receive many calls where a young child has suffered life-altering injuries because of a speeding driver who has not given themselves enough time to react to the unexpected, particularly in and around towns, villages, and schools where children are particularly vulnerable."

Thirty-seven people died in road crashes in South Yorkshire last year.