Crash survivor begs school children to wear their seatbelt
A young woman passenger who survived a life changing car crash is telling her story to influence young road users about the vital use of a seatbelt.
In a defining moment, Ellen Hogan, from Lincoln, was 19 years old when she was on her way home as a backseat passenger following a shift at work on June 14, 2022.
Travelling on the Stixwould Road, near Woodhall Spa, Ellen took her seatbelt off momentarily to reach for something, but the car left the road on a sharp bend and crashed into a tree.
Ellen, has agreed to tell her story in a video for Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership which is now being shown in schools across the county.
The LRSP say that had she been wearing her seatbelt in this moment, she would likely have come away with minor injuries. Had she been in the front of the car without her belt on, she would likely be dead.
As it was, the consequences for Ellen were devastating, and would change her life.
She says: “If you are going to take your belt off, pull over. I was in the back and this all happened to me.
"If I was driving, I wouldn’t be here right now. I was naïve and silly. Big mistake. So please, wear your seatbelt.”
Ellen was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary where she was put into an induced coma while the extent of her injuries was assessed. Ellen had punctured lungs, a bleed on the brain, a deep gash to her head, a spinal fracture and a femur fracture. She could not talk or walk.
Having made miraculous progress in her journey to recovery, Ellen wanted to do something positive and share her experience. She has defied the odds, exceeded expectations, and has come a long way.
A testament to her resilience and determination, she is now working as well as studying.
Hoping her story could potentially save others going through the ordeal she has faced, Ellen got in touch with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, to ask how she could help in raising awareness of the importance of seatbelts.
The LRSP and Lincolnshire Police are promoting Ellen’s story throughout April as part of the National Police Chief’s Council Operation Spotlight campaign.
They say: “We hope Ellen’s message will continue to have an impact on school children across the county in years to come. So please, wear your seatbelt.”