Grandma 'Took a Wrong Turn' and Drove onto Train Tracks. She Spent Final Moments Saving Kids from Being Hit (Exclusive)

• On Saturday, Dec. 7, Jamie Thomas, 48, was driving her two grandchildren and a friend of one of the kids when their vehicle was stuck on the railroad tracks, according to a family spokesperson

• Thomas spent her final moments focused on getting the kids out of the vehicle

• "I’m forever thankful God chose her to be our mother because no one else would have been more perfect," Abby Christopher, Thomas' daughter, tells PEOPLE in a statement

A Michigan grandmother was fatally hit by an oncoming train when her vehicle was stuck on railroad tracks is being remembered by her family as having a heart of gold.

Jamie Thomas, 48, of Coloma, was driving her car carrying three kids — her granddaughters Sofia, 4, and Mya, 8, as well as a friend of Mya's — on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Thomas was on her way back to daughter Abby Christopher's house to pick up a coat she left behind, her 27-year-old daughter tells PEOPLE.

“She took a wrong turn and went to turn around and ended up the tracks that had no railroad crossings or lights or anything,” adds Christopher, who is the mother of Sofia, Mya and Viviana, 1, who was not in the car at the time.

Related: 3 People Dead, Including a 6-Year-Old Boy, After Amtrak Train Hits Pickup Truck in New York

A previous news release from the Coloma Township Police Department said that responders were summoned to a railroad crossing on Clements Court in Coloma following a report of a crash between a vehicle and train.

“Upon arrival by officers, it was confirmed that there were four occupants involved including one adult and three juveniles,” police said. “The adult driver was located and confirmed deceased. The three juveniles that were involved were transported to the hospital for further treatment/evaluation of injuries."

At the time of their announcement, the Coloma Township Police Department didn’t identify the names and ages of the victims. But Shelynn Buckley, a family spokesperson, confirms to PEOPLE that Thomas was killed in the crash after the car was stuck on the tracks — but first, she did her best to help the children get out of the vehicle in time.

Related: Woman Who Was Handcuffed Inside Police Car When It Was Struck by Train Receives $8.5M Settlement

“[Jamie] got out to help get all the girls,” Buckley says. “Abby said that two of them got out and then one was ejected. And that's Mya, she broke her leg and her arm.”

“Sofia walked away with just soreness,” Buckley adds, noting that the friend only suffered a sprain.

“Even in her last moment, she still made sure those kids got out safe,” Buckley says. “That was a caring, genuine moment. They could have gotten injured [more severely] or even killed."

In addition to her daughter, Thomas is the mother of three other children: Kendall Christopher, 23, Madison Christopher, 19, and Bryson Thomas, 10.

“She was a really good mom,” Buckley adds. “I knew her because I was friends with Abby throughout high school. I would go over there [at the home] and she was always so welcoming. She just had a genuine heart and she was super sweet, always great with her grandkids. She was a great woman.”

As for Thomas' family, Buckley says they're understandably struggling with the loss of their loved one. Making it more difficult is that Kendall, the second oldest of Thomas’ children, was scheduled to get married in Texas on Thursday, Dec. 12.

“She's taking it really rough because she can't fly home [to Coloma] until Friday [Dec. 13],” Buckley says, “because everything's already paid for her wedding. So she literally has to go through this for her wedding and fly home."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

For her part, Buckley has been helping the family through the challenging time by launching a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral and medical costs and setting up local bake sales for the weekend of Dec. 14 and 15.

As of Friday, Dec. 13, the GoFundMe has raised over $11,000.

“It's really taking off for us, being in a small town,” Buckley says about the community’s response.  "It's like with tragedies, we are stronger together."

Related: 6 Dead After Train Hits Family SUV Crossing Railroad Tracks in ‘Devastating’ Accident

Thomas' daughter tells PEOPLE that her mother loved so many things in her life, but her pride and joys were her kids and grandchildren.

“She would open her arms to just about anyone and everyone,” Abby Christopher says. “She always put people before herself and was the strongest woman I’ve ever known.”

“She was simply the best woman in the world,” Christopher adds. “She touched so many peoples lives in many different ways. I’m forever thankful God chose her to be our mother because no one else would have been more perfect.” 

Read the original article on People