Girl dies saving her brother on their mother’s birthday

A 14-year-old girl knocked down and killed when she ran into the road to save her little brother died on her mother's birthday, her family said today.

Lillian Groves was hit by a car outside their family home as her parents cooked a celebration meal inside.

She had dashed out to rescue eight-year-old Olly who had chased a football off the pavement in New Addington, Croydon. The "inseparable" brother and sister had been playing and watching aeroplanes from Biggin Hill air show on Saturday.

She died five hours later in hospital. Today her family, including parents Gary, 40, and Natasha, 41, and sister Rhiannon, 20, said they were devastated.

Mr Groves said: "We are in shock. It is just a haze. It was my wife's birthday and we were cooking a meal for family and friends." He added: "She will always be my princess. She could do no wrong."

Mrs Grove said: "She relished going out and watching Olly play football every Saturday. She'd be up there in the rain, teeth chattering, cheering him on. Wherever he was she was always by his side.

"Olly feels like he's lost his right arm. She could not sit still for five minutes. If we told her she had to stay inside she'd mope behind the settee watching all the other kids play."

She added: "She had just moved schools in February and was getting on really well. She loved singing and dancing."

One neighbour said: "Lillian had run into the road to get the ball. It had gone into the road and she stopped Oliver from getting it, but got hit herself."

The Met said a 35-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. They are appealing for any witnesses to contact them on 020 8284 5931.