The family of tragic toddler Saba Amjad was hoping to hear today whether her father will be able to say goodbye to her before she is buried.

Amjad Saeed, 32, who has never seen his only child, was anxiously waiting in Pakistan for his visa application to be approved so he can travel back to Bradford before the funeral of his 18-month-old daughter.

Saba, pictured, died when she wandered out of the back door of the family home in Rossefield Road, Heaton, last Friday while her mother, Nashat Misbah, 32, was briefly distracted by a phone call.

The youngster was fatally injured when she was struck by her uncle's car as he reversed out of the driveway.

Mrs Misbah and Mr Saeed married in Pakistan two years ago and they did not know she was pregnant when she returned to Bradford alone.

Mr Saeed's visa application to join her was granted in February this year but a cheque to pay for the fee expired by the time it had been processed. A second cheque was today still waiting to be cleared so that Mr Saeed can come to Bradford.

Traditionally, bereaved Muslim families bury their dead as soon as possible but the family has delayed the funeral to give Mr Saeed the chance to see his daughter. They now face a race against time for the paperwork to be resolved.

Mrs Misbah's uncle, Haq Nawaz, who is general secretary of the Pakistan People's Party, said yesterday that they had been unable to contact anyone from the Foreign Office over the weekend, but were hoping to hear some news today.

He said a post-mortem examination was also being held today and the family hoped to start making arrangements for Saba's funeral.

"We are hoping things can move forward then."

Mrs Misbah is being comforted by relatives at the family home. She told the T&A that the death of her "beautiful little girl" was a "terrible accident" and she did not blame anyone.

The accident happened at 11.30am on Friday. Paramedics fought to save Saba but she was pronounced dead at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Police are treating her death as a tragic accident. The Coroner has been informed and an inquest will be held.