'˜Sleep well little angel': Family's heartbreaking tribute to schoolgirl

Ellie Thornton, of Linfield Copse, Thakeham, was involved in a collision with a van on the B2139 Storrington Road in Thakeham as she walked to school on March 22.

The 11-year-old was flown to St George’s Hospital in London but died a week later.

She leaves behind her parents Ben and Kerry, step-parents Vicky and Adrian, and younger brother and sister.

Paying tribute this week Ellie’s family described her as a ‘beautiful and adventurous’ girl and told her to ‘sleep well little angel’.

A statement released by the family said: “Just under two weeks ago our amazing daughter Ellie was hit by a van as she walked to school, she spent the next week fighting to recover from the terrible injury her brain had suffered. Sadly on 29th March at 11.17am our beautiful daughter lost her fight for life and passed away.

“We would like to thank those who came to Ellie’s immediate aid, including the brave and clever pupil who alerted the emergency services and the doctor and nurse who were immediately on scene until the emergency services arrived.

“Thank you to the doctors and paramedics who tended to Ellie at the roadside, we are also incredibly grateful to the Kent and Sussex Air Ambulance who got Ellie and her mother to St Georges Hospital as fast as possible.

“Regarding the staff of St George’s A and E and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, we cannot praise them enough for their care and commitment and tenderness shown to Ellie and her family. We also thank the staff of Ronald Macdonald House who provide a safe place for parents in distress and some form of normality during devastating times.

“Ellie, our bright star, was an amazing person. She was confident, worldly, kind natured and caring towards others. She had raised money for Chestnut Tree House and Comic Relief, and for her young age she had a great awareness that there are many children not as fortunate as she was.

“Ellie was so adventurous, sociable and bright. She made both of her families very proud, only a few weeks ago we listened as Ellie’s teachers gave glowing accounts of her achievements, her great potential and enthusiastic attitude.