TRIBUTES have been paid to a nine-year-old girl killed in a collision with a car.

Aleena Kauser, from Rawtenstall, lost her life after the incident involving a white Audi A5 on Bacup Road in the town shortly after 5pm on Friday.

A 19-year-old man and a 22-year old man were arrested shortly afterwards, on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

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Police confirmed the pair, both from Rawtenstall, had been released on police bail yesterday pending further inquiries until November 30.

Officers are still working to piece together exactly what happened in the lead-up to the collision.

Over the weekend, family, friends and many strangers left tributes at the scene.

Aleena’s family, some of whom live on Wheatholme Street in Rawtenstall, were too upset to speak about their loss.

Cllr Roy Knowles, of Longholme ward, said he was shocked at the tragedy.

He said: “In any case it is a great tragedy, but particularly as this was a young girl. My thoughts go to the family at this time.

“I have two daughters myself and to lose one of them would be the worst thing imaginable and my greatest sympathy goes to the family.

“The road is not dangerous compared to any other roads. It gets busy around rush hour but it’s not a dangerous road.”

Cllr Annie McMahon also passed on her condolences and said: “It is a horrendous tragedy for the family that something as terrible as this has happened.

“I give my condolences to the family during this extremely difficult time and can’t imagine what they are going through.

“I don’t know the circumstances of the incident but the council have recently installed two pedestrian crossings on two sections of that road.

“I can understand why strangers who have no connection to the family have been in tears when paying their respects. It’s a terrible thing.

“These sorts of events shock the entire community but bring us together as we can all grieve what has happened.”

Aleena was airlifted to Royal Blackburn Hospital where she sadly died.

The road was closed for four and a half hours while police investigated.

Sgt David Hurst of the Road Policing Unit said: “This was a tragic incident in which a little girl has very sadly lost her life and my thoughts remain with her family at this difficult time.

“Our investigation to establish exactly how the collision occurred is continuing and I would appeal to anyone who witnessed what happened to contact us as soon as possible.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the white Audi A5 and a green Volkswagen Golf travelling in the vicinity prior to the collision.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log 1060 of September 18.