Pictured: Girl, 5, orphaned in M1 horror crash

The five-year-old girl who survived the M1 horror crash that killed eight people is ‘out of danger’ in hospital, her family has said.

Shravathi Ramasubramanian was found trapped underneath a chair in the minibus that was flattened by two lorries in the early hours of Saturday morning. 

Her father Karthikeyan and mother Lavanya were among eight people killed in the minibus. 

She was rushed to hospital and has been intensive care since Saturday’s crash but her grandmother has revealed she is now recovering and responding to medicines.

Relatives from India have flown to her bedside at Birmingham Children’s hospital.

Gran Malti said: ‘My son Nand Kumar and two other relatives reached England last night at 11:30 pm. The Ministry of External Affairs and Wipro helped expedite their visa request.

‘Nand told us Shravathi is out of danger but she is heavily sedated as the wounds are still fresh. He saw her in the hospital. She is responding to the medicines.

Shravath with mum and dad Lavanya and Karthikeyan Ramasubramanian. She has been orphaned by the crash 

According to her family, she is doing well and responding to medication. They have yet to make a decision about her future

Friends said the family had been excited about their new life in England

‘We do not know the future plan yet. We are yet to believe that our daughter and son-in-law are no more. They had moved to England in January this year and were going to be there for at least another year.

‘We will see where Shravathi will live. Our priority at the moment is her life. We only hope that she heals quickly. Once she heals completely then we will sit and discuss.’

They had been travelling in in the early hours of Saturday morning to catch a Eurostar train for a dream holiday to France.

Karthikeyan moved with Shravathi and wife Lavanya from southern India to Nottingham in January with IT firm Wipro.

Friends of Lavanya revealed she was really looking forward to her new life.

Shanmuga Prabhu, 32 from Erode, Tamil Nadu said: ‘Lavanya was thrilled to be moving to England. We had not met in ages as I got married before her but we stayed in touch over Facebook.

‘On December 16th, we all met because she was leaving for England in January. She was excited about her husband getting a posting there.

Her father Karthikeyan and mother Lavanya were among eight people killed on Saturday morning as they travelled to France for a dream holiday

‘I am not sure if she was working there.

‘We were very close friends. For three years, we studied together, we were pursuing our degree.

‘She was a very intelligent girl. She would always think right and give the best advice. If I had any issues, I would go straight to her for suggestions or help. She was headstrong and never feared anything, very bold woman.

‘We met last on December 16th, it was a friends get-together as she was leaving for UK in January.

Eight people died in the crash on the M1, near Newport Pagnell, in the early hours of Saturday morning. Above, wreckage from the minibus

The M1 motorway near Newport Pagnell after a crash involving a minibus and two lorries. Several others were injured in the crash

‘I am shattered by her sudden demise. I am yet to believe that she is no more. I had met her daughter Shravati when she was three years old. I am relieved that at least she has survived the crash.

‘I had spoken to her family two days ago and they informed me that the child is still in ICU. But Lavanya’s brother Nand Kishore flew to UK yesterday to bring her back. I am not sure if he will get their bodies home.’

Long-time friend Sankar Raghuraman added: ‘Karthikeyan and Lavanya had known each other for a very long time and were a very loving couple. He was very softly spoken.

‘I was speaking to Lavanya on Whatsapp just 10 days before the accident. It’s such a terrible accident and I miss them already. They were a wonderful family.

‘I hope his daughter is going to be OK. His brother is completely heartbroken.’