LEADING members of the Asian community today paid tribute to a schoolgirl who died following an horrific crash.

Mourners turned out in their hundreds to pay their respects to Azra Rawoot, 10, who was killed in the early hours of Sunday in a roadside smash in Oxford.

A lorry ploughed into the Toyota people carrier she was travelling in with her family as it stood at the side of a busy dual carriageway in Abingdon after breaking down.

The family was visiting relatives in Oxford. Azra was pronounced dead at the scene. Her grand- mother, Mariym Anwari, 57, suffered pelvic injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

Azra's younger sisters, Farha, eight, Sughra, six and four-year-old Sara, all pupils of Intack Primary, as was Azra, were also taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Sughra suffered a broken arm and leg. The other injuries were said to be minor.

Oxfordshire Police said the youngsters' parents, Iniyat and Zahida Rawoot were getting help at the time of the accident, shortly after 3.30am on Sunday.

After a service at Mo Mi Neen Mosque, in Ash Street, Blackburn, where the family are members, Azra was laid to rest at Pleasington Cemetery.

At the family's home in Glenfield Close, Little Harwood, friends and relatives comforted the distraught parents.

A family member said they were on sedatives to help them cope with their massive loss.

They were due to travel to Oxford today to be with their other children and Mrs Anwari. Abdul Alim, treasurer of the Lancashire Council of Mosques and a family friend today led the tributes to Azra.

Mr Alim, who attended the service, said: "There were literally hundreds of people there and it was a very difficult and sad day. It is a terrible tragedy for the family, it was sheer bad luck to break down and for this to happen.

"The community has rallied together for the family, we are all devastated by it. Words cannot really describe the grief and I hope the family has the faith to get through this." Mr Alim said: "Azra was always happy and always smiling. She was one of those children who was always willing to help other people and never had a bad word to say about anyone."

Councillor Salim Mulla attended the funeral at Pleasington Cemetery with Lord Adam Patel.

The Shear Brow ward representative said: "I went to pay my respects and pray for the family. Everyone is very upset and shocked over this."

Neighbours of the family wept when they spoke about the accident. One said: "The children you would see at that house were always happy, always smiling."

"This is a quiet street where everyone is pleasant to each other.

"To hear that a little girl, especially from such a friendly family, has been killed in such tragic circumstances is very sad.

"All we can do is think and pray for the family. We are all numb, so it is impossible to imagine what they must be going through."

Police said an investigation had been launched into the cause of the crash and were appealing for witnesses. At this stage it is not known why the lorry ploughed into the car. The driver was unhurt.