Everything we know about Wimbledon school crash as two girls, aged 8, killed and 15 injured
Land Rover crashes through fence of Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon
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Your support makes all the difference.A second girl succumbed to her injuries after a Land Rover crashed through a school fence in London on Thursday last week.
Police identified the eight-year-old as Nuria Sajjad.
Her family said in a statement: “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Nuria on Sunday 9 July 2023. Nuria was the light of our lives. She embodied joy, kindness and generosity and she was loved by all around her.”
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London tweeted: “My heart goes out to the family of eight-year-old Nuria Sajjad and everyone affected by this tragic incident.”
The parents of another eight-year-old who was killed in the crash paid tribute to their “intelligent and cheeky” daughter.
Selena Lau died and 15 others were injured when the vehicle crashed through the fence of The Study Preparatory school in Wimbledon, on Thursday.
Nuria was in a hospital with injuries but died over the weekend. A 40-year-old woman is also in hospital fighting for her life, while a seven-month-old baby was also injured in the smash, police confirmed on Friday.
Pictures from the scene showed the scale of the huge emergency services presence as a “major incident” was quickly declared.
The driver of the vehicle, a woman aged in her 40s, who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving has been released on bail.
Have you been affected by this story? If so email tara.cobham@independent.co.uk
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What happened?
The Metropolitan Police said it was called at 9.54am to reports a car had crashed into a building at the school.
London Fire Brigade attended the scene, along with 15 ambulances and an air ambulance.
The powerful 4x4, being driven by a woman, smashed through the fence and into a group of children who were understood to have been sitting on the grass enjoying a party in the garden. Police said the driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene but would not confirm any more about the possible cause of the crash.
The London Ambulance Service said 16 people were treated at the scene.
Who are the victims?
Selena Lau, 8, was killed in the crash while 15 others were injured in the incident.
Issuing a picture of her beaming at the camera in her school uniform, her parents said in a brief statement issued through the Metropolitan Police: “Selena was an intelligent and cheeky girl adored and loved by everyone.
“The family wishes their privacy to be respected at this sad time.”
Some 10 people were taken to hospital, including Nuria, while a woman in her 40s was in a critical condition on Friday.
Police also confirmed that a seven-month-old baby was taken to hospital, though their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
A number of those injured are being treated as critical, according to Stephen Hammond, the Conservative MP for Wimbledon.
Education secretary Gillian Keegan said she was “shocked and saddened” at the second death. “My thoughts are with Nuria’s family and loved ones at this truly awful time,” she tweeted.
After the second death was announced, Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond said: “I am so saddened to hear that another young girl has lost her life. My thoughts and prayers are with Nuria’s family and friends as well as the staff at St George’s who have been working tirelessly and the wider school community.”
What injuries do the victims have?
A local teacher, who did not want to be named, said she had heard many of those involved had suffered broken bones.
“A friend of mine has friends who have children who go to the school. She said they have all kinds of broken bones including a broken pelvis.
“I’m a teacher and I’m a mother and it could have happened to us. It could have happened to anybody.”
Where is the school?
Wilberforce House, The Study Preparatory School, is located on Camp Road in Wimbledon, South London.
The school, which costs £5,565 per term, is for girls aged four to 11 and sits on Wimbledon Common. It is just a mile away from the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club as it hosts the world-famous tennis tournament.
Wimbledon resident Julie Atwood said: “My daughter used to go to this school. It’s a girls’ school. Wimbledon is like a little village. For this to happen in Wimbledon is unheard of. It’s terrible.”
What have the police said?
Police are not treating the incident as terror-related.
Detective chief superintendent Clair Kelland, local police commander for southwest London, said: “This is tragic news and our thoughts are with the girl’s family and friends, and everyone affected today.
“We remain at the scene and are continuing our investigation into the full circumstances of the incident.”
In an update on 7 July, Ms Kelland said it was difficult to imagine the pain and upset the families of those involved were going through but officers were supporting them as the investigation continues.
She said: “I know the impact of this tragic incident is also being felt in the wider community and we are working with our partners to ensure the appropriate support is in place.
“I understand many people will want answers about how this happened and there is a team of detectives working to establish the circumstances.”
A large police cordon was in place stretching onto Wimbledon Common where officers are moving dog walkers and passers-by away from the scene. An air ambulance was at the edge of the Common while a number of ambulances were parked nearby in the hours after the crash.
What have parents and the community said?
Cordons were removed on Friday to allow pupils and parents to leave tributes to those involved.
A woman wearing a blue sling around her arm visited the scene and left flowers in a box and a note that read: “Dear Selena, you will always be our shining star. We will miss you so much.”
Another tribute left at the scene said: “To the Study and parents. So sorry for this tragic loss to the school and the family. Forever in our thoughts.”
Ian Hewitt, chair of the All England Lawn Tennis club, said: “We feel closely associated with the community. What a tragic incident - we just offer our heartfelt sympathies to all affected.”
Members of the Wimbledon Common Golf Club, which is opposite the school and was where an emergency response centre was set up at the height of the incident, held a minute’s silence on Friday.
Its chair Peter Thompson said: “We’re close neighbours, we’ve got close links with The Study.
“When they were doing their refurbishments they used one of our offices. It’s shocked the whole membership. It’s just so sad to lose someone so young.”
What have local politicians said?
The prime minister’s official spokesperson said Rishi Sunak thanked the emergency services for their swift response.
The spokesperson said: “The prime minister’s deepest condolences are with the family of the girl who has tragically lost her life.
“His thoughts are with all those injured and involved in the horrific collision in Wimbledon this morning.
“This will have been a terrifying experience for all of the children, staff and parents.”
Mr Hammond said he was “very concerned” to hear about the “major incident”, adding: “My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone at The Study.”
He told the BBC: “Extraordinarily distressing and tragic incident on the last day of term … there has actually been a major incident declared. The air ambulance, the ambulance, the fire services, and the police are all in attendance.”
“The size of the response tells you how serious the incident is and there are a number of casualties, and I understand that a number of those are being treated as critical.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan described the incident as “devastating” and said: “My heart goes out to everyone affected.”
Home secretary Suella Braverman said she was “saddened to hear about the tragic incident at the school in Wimbledon this morning”, adding in a tweet: “My thoughts are with everyone affected. I would like to thank emergency responders at the scene. It is important they are now able to carry out their investigation.”
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper tweeted: “Thinking of all the families, pupils and staff affected by the terrible incident at a primary school in Wimbledon this morning. Thank you to the emergency services on site for their swift response.”
Wilberforce House, The Study Preparatory School have declined to comment to The Independent.
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