11-year-old girl saves young cousin moments before car crash

Iman Zainab Javed, 11, saved her three-year-old cousin right before a lorry crashed into her

An 11-year-old girl stuck in car wreckage died moments after saving her three-year-old cousin's life.

Iman Zainab Javed helped her cousin out of the wreckage right before a lorry crashed into her near Bamber Bridge in Lancashire. Iman's father who was driving the VW Sharan with the 11-year-old and other family members in the car is in critical condition.

Iman from Rochdale, was in the backseat when the car collided with a Renault Clio, following which a lorry crashed into both cars. Three other family members suffered minor injuries due to the accident.

Iman's family recalled her as a "beautiful, caring, fun-loving, inquisitive and sometimes cheeky young girl", who "could play patiently for hours with her younger cousins but could also tell you the impact Brexit had on the pound."

PHOTO COURTESY: FAMILY HANDOUT

"Iman had a particularly special bond with her three-year-old cousin, Aaima Vasim, who suffers from a serious heart condition," they said.

PHOTO COURTESY: FAMILY HANDOUT

"Iman's last act in this world was to help Aaima out of the vehicle to safety." Iman's sudden demise left several people, including her head teacher in "tremendous shock". "Iman was a first class student and such a bright, intelligent girl," Linda Cotton said.

This article originally appeared on BBC NEWS.