The family of an 11-year-old girl killed in a motorway crash has said her last act was to help her three-year-old cousin to safety.

Iman Zainab Javed, from Rochdale, died in a three-vehicle collision on the M61 in Lancashire in January. Her father, Javed Iqbal, remains in a critical condition in hospital.

In a statement, the 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 GSCEs 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 SATs in the summer and the pink limo she wanted on the last day of school,” the statement continued.

“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 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 Norden Community Primary School, 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.”

Iman was a rear-seat passenger in a Volkswagen Sharan which was involved in a collision with a Renault Clio near junction 9 on the southbound carriageway of the motorway on 23 January.

A Volvo HGV travelling in the same direction then collided with both vehicles.

Three other passengers in the vehicle suffered less serious injuries.