The 12-year-old girl who died following a horrific crash on the M61 has been named as Sana Patel.
The schoolgirl was among six people in a Nissan Qashqai that was in a collision with a Vauxhall Corsa at around 10.45pm on Saturday night.
Five others in the Qashqai suffered minor injuries.
Senior officers said their thoughts were with Sana's family and friends.
'There are no words to describe what they will be going through and we send them our deepest condolences at this incredibly difficult time' - Supt Andy Cribbin
According to the Lancashire Telegraph, they were all among a family from Blackburn travelling home from the Bolton area.
Those travelling in the Corsa fled the scene on foot and inquiries are now underway to trace them, Lancashire Police said.
The crash caused the motorway to be closed for several hours between junction 6 and junction 8.
Drivers stuck at the scene told of police officers asking them if they had seen anyone running away.
Supt Andy Cribbin, of Lancashire Police, said: "First and foremost our thoughts are with the family and friends of Sana. There are no words to describe what they will be going through and we send them our deepest condolences at this incredibly difficult time. They are currently being supported by specialist officers."
"Our investigation is in the early stages and we are working hard to establish exactly what occurred, and to locate the people who were in the Corsa."
"We are now appealing directly to them.
"We know the car is registered to an address in West Yorkshire and we are appealing for the driver and any passenger at the time of the collision to make contact with us as soon as possible.
"A twelve year old girl has tragically lost her life, so we would urge them to search their conscience and do the right thing by contacting us.
"We are also asking anybody who saw the collision, or saw either vehicle in the moments before it happened, to get in touch with us as soon as possible."
Anybody with information is asked to get in touch on 101, quoting log 1817 of July 6th.
