A ROAD safety documentary has been launched following the death of a 14-year-old girl in a crash in Thorpe Bay.

Ben Gemmell, 18, lost control of his car in Tyrone Road, Thorpe Bay, on March 6 last year, injuring 18 young people, eight seriously, including 14-year-old Eleanor McGrath and 16-year-old Jack Horton, who suffered serious head injuries, plus a broken leg and pelvis.

Eleanor died four days later, devastating not just her family, but the popular teenager’s wide circle of friends, including her next-door-neighbours and childhood friends Emily and Lauren Smoothy.

In the aftermath of the crash, the 17-year-old twins came up with the idea of a road safety documentary to try to prevent any similar tragedies occurring to other young people and their families.

Entitled Driving with Grace, the programme tells the story of the accident and the effects it had on those involved through the words of Eleanor’s family, friends, and the young driver of the car that killed her.

Directed by Leigh-based film maker Charles Sharman Cox, the documentary will be shown to teenagers across England, Scotland, Wales and beyond, with copies arriving at schools and colleges nationwide today.