Pictured: Heroic mother, 29, who sacrificed her own life to push her daughter out of the way of a reversing lorry during the school run

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This is Rachael Martin, 29, who saved the life of her young daughter by sacrificing her own 

A heroic mother who died after she saved her young daughter from being crushed by a car transporter has been named.

Rachael Martin, 29, from Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, was walking her two daughters to school at 8.45am on Friday when one of the youngsters darted in front of a reversing HGV on a scooter.

She managed to push the five-year-old out of the way but was killed when she was dragged under the wheels of the 7.5-ton truck.

Rescue crews, including paramedics, firefighters and police, rushed to the scene of the crash which happened on Western Road, Stratford-upon-Avon.

An air ambulance transported the five-year-old to Birmingham Children's Hospital.

She suffered serious pelvic injuries and remains in a stable condition. 

A seven-year-old girl who was also with the pair was not hurt in the crash.

A spokesperson for Warwickshire Police said: 'Rachael Martin died as a result of the collision with a car transporter in Western Road at about 8.45am.

'A five-year-old girl suffered serious pelvic injuries and was airlifted to Birmingham Children's Hospital where she is still undergoing treatment. Her condition remains stable.

Heroic Rachael Martin saved her five-year-old daughter from being crushed underneath a 7.5 ton truck

'A seven-year-old girl who was walking with the woman and five-year-old was not injured in the collision.

'The family has asked to be left alone at this time as they come to terms with their loss.'

Devastated friends and family took to Facebook to pay tribute to the 'beautiful and amazing' mother from Elm Road, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Family member Shane Martin wrote on the social media website: 'Rest In Peace Rachael Martin, you will be sorely missed.

'From me and all the family, another one taken too soon but you saved the little one from the HGV.

'Sleep tight, and may you be looking down on all of us and the little ones, say hi to nanny Austin, great nan Queenie and great grandad for me x.'

Friend Carla Dare shared a photo of a flower which Rachel had given her just weeks ago, with the caption: 'Today I've been in complete utter shock by the tragic accident and sudden loss of a truly wonderful close friend of mine.

'Rachael you were a beautiful and amazing young lady who lived every moment for your gorgeous girls Leah and Keira.

'Very few people know exactly what life has thrown at you over the past few years but you fought long and hard through many battles, never giving up you were always so strong.

'I am so going to miss you my beautiful friend RIP Angel.'

Rachel Taylor said: 'In a state of shock this morning I honestly can't believe my beautiful best friend Rachael Martin has truly gone, the bested friend, mother, sister and a hero, we will love and miss u always and forever xxxxx' (sic)

Witnesses said the woman was walking to a nearby primary school when she dashed into the road to save one of her daughters who was on a child's scooter. 

A worker from an Audi car dealership nearby said 'it looks like the mum sacrificed herself for the little girl'

A girl believed to be the Rachael's second daughter was uninjured but was treated by paramedics for shock at the scene

Police forensic experts were seen putting a scooter into an evidence bag after the woman was crushed to death on Friday.

A witness said: 'The scooter was mangled up. I heard one of the emergency crews say it looked as though the girl had somehow lost control of the scooter and ended up on the road.

'The mum must have seen what happened and rushed to push the little girl out of the way of the lorry but in doing so was hit. 

'She made the ultimate sacrifice.' 

The woman was declared dead at the scene while her daughter was airlifted to Birmingham Children's Hospital.

A worker from an Audi car dealership, who witnessed the crash, said: 'We have been told that one of the girls ran into the road and her mum threw herself in front of the oncoming lorry.

'It looks like the mum sacrificed herself for her little girl.

The 29-year-old was declared dead at the scene while her daughter was airlifted to Birmingham Children's Hospital

'Police have told us that one of the girls has been taken to hospital and the other child is being looked after in a nearby garage.

'There are dozens of police and paramedics here. It's an absolute horrible tragedy.' 

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: 'Sadly, nothing could be done to save a woman who had been involved in a collision with the vehicle and she was confirmed dead on scene.

'A young girl had also been involved in the collision and upon further assessment by ambulance staff and medics they found she had sustained multiple serious injuries.

'The little girl was given trauma care in the ambulance to help stabilise her condition before she was airlifted to Birmingham Children's Hospital with a doctor on board.

'A second girl was assessed by paramedics but was uninjured and didn't require hospital treatment.

'The lorry driver, a man, was checked over but was also uninjured.' 

Paramedics praised bystanders and staff members from a nearby car dealership for their help at the scene

The collision is being investigated, Warwickshire Police have confirmed. 

A spokesperson said: 'Police investigating the incident would like to hear from anyone who witnessed it or saw the vehicle or pedestrians before the collision occurred.

'Anyone with information is asked to call Warwickshire Police on 101.'

And a spokesman for Manheim, the lorry firm which was involved in the tragic collision, said it is assisting the police. 

'We understand that our driver is a witness and no arrests have been made.'