Last night, the parents of eight-year-old Nuria Sajjad, who was tragically killed when a Land Rover crashed through a fence at her school, spoke to the BBC about the ‘horror’ of that day and the impact the delayed Wimbledon fatal school crash investigation is having on them.
The parents are one of fifteen families, including the other bereaved parents of eight-year-old Selena Lau, who have sought legal support from Moore Barlow.
Nuria Sajjad and her mother, Smera Chohan, had been taking photographs together just moments before they were hit by the vehicle at the preparatory school in Wimbledon at a last-day of term party on the 6th of July 2023.
She told the BBC: “My mind goes blank. I didn’t see anything come at me. Because if I had, I would have protected my girl. I would have. And I didn’t. So I wake up every morning thinking, ‘Could I have picked her up and done something?’ I didn’t see the car come. I didn’t save my girl.”
A 46-year-old woman from Wimbledon, driving the vehicle, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving in July. She was initially bailed until September, but the police later re-bailed her until January.
Nuria’s father, Sajjad Butt, told the BBC: “It is difficult every day to wake up. It is difficult to sleep. At the deepest, deepest level, there is no purpose. We lived for our daughter, and she lived for life.”
“I witnessed the car collide with three people. I remember screaming. I remember pain. I went into shock, and I don’t know how long passed until panic set in.”
It has been four months since Nuria’s death, and the family are still waiting for answers whilst the investigation is ongoing; Sajjad told the BBC: “Dozens of people witnessed what happened. A car crashed into a school ground, injured several and killed two, there’s no doubt about that. We’re exasperated at the pace.
“The loss of our child doesn’t seem to be front and centre of what’s being considered. Accountability is important, but at a human level, we want to know why and what.”
What we’re looking to do is to understand exactly how this tragic incident occurred. Above all, we have to remember that we’re talking about parents, parents who lost their loved ones. We need to make sure we can understand exactly how this incident occurred and that they can ensure there’s a level of accountability and lessons can be learned.
Trevor Sterling, senior partner at Moore Barlow, whose team is supporting the families, speaking with the BBC:
The full interview on BBC is available on iPlayer.
Moore Barlow Fatal accidents
The legal process surrounding fatal accident claims, while intricate, becomes navigable when you have a knowledgeable and empathetic guide to steer you through. At Moore Barlow, we take pride in our team that combines these very qualities, ensuring your journey through seeking justice is both effective and caring.
We believe in comprehensive support, because we know that compensation is just a part of the journey. In your moments of grief and uncertainty, let our team of expert fatal accident lawyers be your beacon. Our team of solicitors not only boast extensive legal expertise but also embody empathy and understanding, two pivotal qualities when assisting families through such tough times.
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