The 12-year-old girl who died in the horror hit and run on New Year’s Eve can be named as Helina Kotlarova.

Her cousin, named as 11-year-old Zaneta Krokova, is still fighting for her life in hospital.

Helina’s family have been speaking to the MEN about the tragedy and their loss as the hunt for the driver continues .

They revealed how her mum held her in her arms as she died in the road, touching her hair as she passed away.

Her family told how she was holding hands with Zaneta and on their way home for a New Year party when both girls were hit by the ‘speeding’ VW Golf on Ashton Road in Oldham.

They were walking back across the road from a shop when it happened.

A group of Helina’s friends and cousins were stood on the other side of the road and witnessed the tragedy, the family revealed.

Helina’s parents, Sylva and Robert, were at home on nearby Montreal Street when the collision happened and ran around the corner to the scene.

They said Helina, a pupil at the Collective Spirit school in Oldham, was one of nine children and leaves a brother and seven sisters.

Helina’s sister Sylva, 19, has been speaking on behalf of the family, who moved to Oldham from the Czech Republic eight years ago.

She revealed her younger sister loved to dance and sing.

Helina and her cousin had gone to the shop together ahead of a family New Year’s Eve party at her house.

Some of her sisters were also with the group and witnessed the tragedy.

Sylva said: “She was with her sisters and her cousins. The other girl who is injured is her cousin.

“I have not spoken to her family but they have said that she is still fighting for her life.

“Helina’s sisters and cousins were on the other side of the road waiting for them to cross. They were next to the shop but the car then came.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

“Helina and Zaneta were stood on the side of the road where the shop is. They were holding hands. They went to buy something from the shop and after they went out they waited to cross the road.”

Sylva said both girls were sent ‘flying’ by the impact.

She said: “Her cousins and friends came here and told us about it. We ran there and I went to her. Her face was all bleeding. She did not breathe.

“Then the ambulance came.”

Sylva said her parents ran to the scene.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

They were too upset to speak today and broke down in tears as Sylva spoke of her sister.

She added: “We all ran there when it happened. My mum was there with me. I saw her face and my mum was touching her hair.

“The police have said that the guy has left the car somewhere and ran. They were not talking about other people. Just one man.

“She was crossing the road with her cousin holding hands when it happened. The car was speeding.

“Helina loved to sing and dance. She loved to spend time with her family. She wanted to be a singer.”

Greater Manchester Police said officers are searching for the driver of a black Volkswagen Golf which hit the children shortly after 7.15pm in Ashton Road, Oldham.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

Sergeant Lee Westhead, from the force’s serious collision investigation unit, said: “These are tragic circumstances where a young girl has lost her life and I would urge anyone who knows anything to do with this collision to contact police immediately.

“Another girl is currently fighting for her life in hospital and specially trained officers are supporting the families involved.

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“Officers are trying to establish exactly what happened while we also have a dedicated team trying to locate the driver of the car.”

Anyone with information should call the collision unit on 0161 856 4741 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.