An 11-year-old girl who died in a crash near Preston has seen tributes paid to her.

Iman Zainab Javed, from Rochdale, was a rear seat passenger in the incident at Junction 9 of the M61 at Walton Summit.

The ‘beautiful and much loved’ girl’s family have released an emotional tribute to her.

Iman’s father Javed Iqbal was seriously injured in the crash which saw a lorry collide with two cars around 10.30pm on Monday 23 January.

Her family said: She was a beautiful, caring, fun-loving, inquisitive and sometimes cheeky young girl. She loved baking and cooking and wanted to learn sewing.

“Iman could play patiently for hours with her younger baby cousins but she could also tell you the impact Brexit had on the pound! She had her GSCE’S planned and wanted to study medicine.

“Iman enjoyed shopping and was very good at picking out items for birthdays, baby showers or weddings. She was looking forward to the SAT’s in the summer and the pink limo she wanted on the last day of school.

“Iman had a particularly special bond with her three year old cousin Aaima Vasim who suffers from a serious heart condition. Iman’s last act in this world was to help Aaima out of the vehicle to safety.”

Her family have paid tribute to the emergency services who tried to save Iman.

Headteacher of Norden Community Primary School, where Iman studied, Linda Cotton said: “We have all suffered a tremendous shock at the death, in such tragic circumstances. Iman was a first class student and such a bright, intelligent girl. She always worked hard in school and was a very popular and well liked pupil. We are struggling to come to terms with her death and are planning to do something in the future to remember her as the special girl that she was.”

Iman’s best friend Mia Kelly, 11, said: “She is everything you could ever want in a best friend. Kindness, thoughtfulness, she was always there for me when I needed her. I love you Iman. You are always in our hearts.”

The family have set up a Justgiving page to raise funds for both Royal Preston Hospital where Iman was taken and Wythenshaw where Javed is being cared for. He is making a good recovery.