A TEENAGER is trying to rebuild her life, seven months after a horrific accident.

Ellen Finn, 15, of Beacon Hill, Maldon, was one of nine teenagers injured when 17-year-old Ben Gemmell ploughed his car into 30 youngsters, in Thorpe Bay, on March 6.

Now, as Ellen continues her recovery, she says she just wants Gemmell “to go away”.

The crash killed 14-year-old Eleanor McGrath and has left Jack Horton, 16, in a coma.

While Ellen’s physical injuries are healing, the emotional wounds still remain.

Ellen and her mum, Liz, have spoken publicly for the first time about the night of the crash, her daughter’s recovery and what she thinks of the boy responsible.

Liz said: “We got a phone call from her dad, Dominic, who had been called by one of her friends, so we went to Southend+Hospital">Southend Hospital.

“We were told there was a major incident and were put in a room with what felt like 100 other parents.

“I was told she was conscious and I could hear her screaming.”

Ellen’s pelvis was broken in four places, she needed a blood transfusion, and suffered damage to a cruciate knee ligament, which will require an operation, next year, after she sits her GCSEs.

She had been celebrating the completion of an exam, with friends from Southend High School for Girls, Thorpe Hall School and Southend High School for Boys, when they were hit by the car.

Ellen spent ten days in hospital and another six weeks recovering at home.

She said she is trying to get her life back to normal, by returning to Southend High School for Girls, but found it difficult while she was on crutches.

She added her friends still talk about the crash.

As for Gemmell, Ellen said: “I just want him to go away.”

Liz said she did not tell Ellen straight away that Eleanor had been killed.

She added: “Once it came out, we did not have any choice.”

Gemmell, of Wyatts Drive, Southend, has since admitted causing death by dangerous driving and eight counts of grievous bodily harm. He will be sentenced later this year.

Liz said: “It has been quite an emotional time for all the children involved, as they have lost a friend and another remains badly injured.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those families who were not as lucky as us.

“As for Ben Gemmell, he will have to live with what he has done. Whatever his sentence, he will never feel the pain and grief he has caused so many families.”