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A heroic 10-year-old girl saved the lives of two toddlers by pushing them out of the path of a car which then hit and killed her.

Kiera Larsen ran to the rescue of one-year-old Adison and two-year-old Emma after a Mercedes SUV began rolling down a sloping drive in California.

Authorities said she was able to push the toddlers to safety but was herself hit and killed during the tragedy in Lakeside.

Alyssa Jenkins, the toddlers' mother, told KGTV: "She saved both my daughters' lives, my two kids, and both could have been gone in an instant.

"She stepped in and did what she knows and that's to protect those around her.

"She is truly a hero and will forever be my kids' guardian angel."

A fundraising page set up after her tragic death this week has so far raised almost $60,000.

California Highway Patrol officer Kevin Pearlstein said after the tragedy: "A 10-year-old girl pushed another child out of the way of the in-motion vehicle.

"Unfortunately, while doing this the vehicle struck the 10-year-old girl causing major injuries.

"We're going to do an inspection on the vehicle, find out why this happened, find out if there was some sort of malfunction on the vehicle and go from there."

A post on the GoFundMe page read: "Those of you who had the pleasure of knowing Kiera know that she is such an amazing, beautiful, smart and funny little girl.

"She truly brings so much love and happiness to so many people."