Hero, 11, dies just moments after saving her cousin from wreck

Young Iman Javed's heroism has been recognised after the road tragedy. Photo / Supplied

A brave 11-year-old English girl stuck in a car wreck died saving her 3-year-old cousin moments before a lorry ploughed into her on the M61 near Preston.

Iman Javed was a backseat passenger in a car being driven by her father Iqbal in heavy fog. The car was hit by another car travelling in the same direction.

Iman's mother Khaldah and her sister 15-year-old sister Saania climbed free from the wreckage.

Then Iman managed to help her cousin Aaima Vasim, who suffers from a serious heart condition, to escape but was unable to get out before a lorry slammed into the car.

The youngster suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene on January 23.

Her father Javed was seriously injured and police said he remains in a critical condition fighting for his life in hospital.

The grief-stricken family said Iman had a "special bond" with her cousin Aaima and her "last act in the world" was to free her from the vehicle.

The family's emotional statement read: "She was a beautiful, caring, fun-loving, inquisitive.

"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 GSCEs planned and wanted to study medicine."

Her mother Khaldah described her as a "blessing from Allah".

The family, which also includes Iman's twin brother Rehan and older siblings Usman, 18, Mariyah, 19, and Sannia, 15, thanked the emergency services and the Royal Preston Hospital and Wythenshawe Hospital for the care given to Iman and her father.

Linda Cotton, headteacher of Iman's Norden Community Primary School in Rochdale, said: "We have all suffered a tremendous shock at the death, in such tragic circumstances."