Yahoo News Wimbledon primary school: Second girl, 8, dies after crash - what we know
Second girl, 8, dies after crash at Wimbledon primary school as a woman remains in a serious condition
A second child has died after a Land Rover crashed into an end-of-term tea party at a south-west London prep school.
Eight-year-old Nuria Sajjad died on Sunday following the crash at The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon on Thursday, the Metropolitan Police said.
Her death comes after it was confirmed eight-year-old Selena Lau had died.
Nuria’s family said: “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.
“We would like to thank the efforts of the emergency services, all the extraordinary staff at St George’s Hospital, the parents of Nuria’s class fellows and staff of the Study Prep for all they have done to ease Nuria’s journey."
On Sunday evening, 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.”
Education secretary Gillian Keegan said: “I am shocked and saddened that a second young girl has died following the tragic incident in Wimbledon.
"My thoughts are with Nuria’s family and loved ones at this truly awful time.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: “My heart goes out to the family of 8-year-old Nuria Sajjad and everyone affected by this tragic incident.”
On Friday, Selena's family paid tribute to her, saying: “Selena was an intelligent and cheeky girl adored and loved by everyone.”
Police were called at 9.54am on Thursday to reports that a car had crashed through a fence and collided with a building at The Study Prep School in Camp Road.
A total of 35 police vehicles were deployed to the scene and officers worked with paramedics to give first aid to a number of people who had been injured.
A woman in her 40s remains in hospital in a serious condition.
A number of other people, including a seven-month-old girl, were also taken to hospital with injuries later assessed as non-life threatening.
The driver of the car, a 46-year-old woman from Wimbledon, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Watch: Second child dies after crash at primary school in Wimbledon
She was taken to hospital and her condition was assessed as non-life threatening.
Police said she has been bailed to a date in late July pending further inquiries.
The tragedy happened as pupils were having a celebratory party outside the classroom on the last day of term, which neighbours said was also the last day of the £16,000-a-year private school’s headteacher.
On Friday, distraught families arrived regularly at the scene on Friday to lay flowers, with one note paying tribute to Selena, who was described as 'a shining star'.
Pictures from the scene showed a gold and black Land Rover next to the building, with rubble on the ground and play equipment, including a plastic toy chair, nearby.
On Thursday evening, the vehicle was covered with a tarpaulin by police and loaded on to a lorry.
In an update on Friday on the driver, the Met Police said: “The driver of the car, a 46-year-old woman from Wimbledon, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
“She was taken to hospital – her condition was assessed as not life-threatening. She has been bailed pending further inquiries to a date in late July.
“Detectives from the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are leading the investigation and their inquiries are ongoing. They are expected to remain at the scene throughout the day.
“The investigation remains in its early stages and officers are keeping an open mind whilst following up all lines of inquiry. We ask that people do not speculate about the circumstances while this work is ongoing.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, local police commander for south-west London, was visibly upset as she confirmed Selena's death, her voice breaking as she said: "Very sadly one of the children, an eight-year-old girl, died at the scene."
She added: "This is tragic news and our thoughts are with the girl’s family and friends, and everyone affected today."
She said investigations were continuing.
In a statement published on its website on Friday, The Study Preparatory School said: "We are profoundly shocked by the tragic accident this morning at Wilberforce House and devastated that it has claimed the life of one of our young pupils, as well as injuring several others.
"Our thoughts are with the bereaved family and with the families of those injured at this terrible time.
"It is still far too soon to fully understand what happened, but we are well aware of the significant impact this dreadful event will have on our pupils and their families.
"Their welfare remains our top priority and we will be doing everything we can to support them, especially those who suffered injuries.
A couple who live close to the school said it was the last day of its headteacher, Helen Lowe.
The man, who only gave his name as John, said: "It was the last day of the old headmistress’s career... or at the school, anyway. I don’t know if she retired fully.
"The new headteacher was there when the old one was speaking to police."
Wimbledon crash: Read more
End-of-term celebrations turn to nightmare as car ploughs into school (Independent)
Desperate parents rushed to find their children (Telegraph)
School community ‘in shock’ (Evening Standard)
'Profoundly affected'
The chairman of the board of governors at The Study Prep School said the community was “profoundly affected” by the tragedy.
John Tucker declined to comment further as he stood beside the school’s headmistress, Helen Lowe, who held hands with headmistress-elect Sharon Maher.
A local told The Daily Mirror that children were having a tea party on the lawn outside the school to celebrate the final day of term at the time of the crash.
He said: “It’s terrible, the children were sat on the grass with their teachers for the end of the school year having a tea party.
“We think a local resident was coming down from the Royal Wimbledon golf club and crashed through the fence.”
Other reports suggested that the female driver had suffered some kind of seizure, but police are yet to give more detail on the circumstances which caused the crash.
PM's condolences
On Friday, Downing Street said the prime minister’s thoughts were with Selena's family.
The prime minister’s official spokesman 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.”
The school, which costs £5,565 per term, is for girls aged four to 11 and sits on Wimbledon Common, about a mile from the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club as it hosts the world-famous tennis tournament.
Watch: Tributes paid to eight-year-old victim of Wimbledon school crash
