The Study Preparatory School tragedy

The driver has been rearrested

Ms Freemantle has been rearrested after the investigation was moved to the Specialist Crime Command, under Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford.

Following the arrest, Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford said:

I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to any witnesses or individuals with information who are yet to speak to police to please come forward.

Were you attending the local golf course or driving in or around the area of the Study Prep School in Wimbledon at the time of the collision? Did you see the vehicle – a distinctive gold Land Rover Defender – in the lead up to the collision?

The Met is asking anyone with information to contact the major incident room on 0207 175 0793 or call 101 quoting CAD 6528/27Jan.

Press

Independent – https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/wimbledon-school-crash-driver-arrested-b2687548.html

DailyMail – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14332987/Met-arrest-driver-car-killed-two-pupils-ploughed-Wimbledon-Prep-School.html

The Standard – https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/wimbledon-prep-school-crash-arrest-nuria-sajjad-selena-lau-b1207551.html

Police Reopen Investigation into Wimbledon School Crash

The Metropolitan Police have reopened the investigation into the Wimbledon school crash that tragically killed eight-year-olds Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau and injured 12 others in July 2023. Initially, the driver, Claire Freemantle, was not charged, but following concerns raised by the victims’ families about the investigation’s thoroughness, the case is now being reviewed to address unanswered questions. The families have welcomed the new investigation  .

Trevor Sterling, Senior partner at Moore Barlow, who is representing the victims’ families, said

I welcome this decision, because ultimately it’s not just about justice being done but being seen to be done. This is a unique case, in that what we have is a situation where the parents were there. It has been frustrating, distressing and the most important thing now is that the investigations can be concluded as quickly as possible so that the families can have a detailed understanding of what happened.

Parents of the victims, Franky Lau, Jessie Deng, and Saj Butt, who feel let down, expressed deep frustration over unanswered questions, missing witness statements, and the lack of thorough investigative steps. They hope the new inquiry will bring clarity and healing.

Press

BBC – Police reopen Wimbledon school crash investigation

The Guardian – Parents of children killed in Wimbledon school crash welcome new inquiry

Sky – Met Police reopen investigation into Wimbledon school crash that killed two eight-year-old girls

Deputy Chief Commissioner replies to the Mayor confirming the Review report should be available “within weeks”

Moore Barlow lawyers and clients meet with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Sophie Linden, to discuss client’s concerns in relation to investigations. The Mayor consequently wrote to the police seeking clarification in respect of the terms of reference of the Specialist Crime Review Group and status of the review.

Families of the Wimbledon crash victims meet mayor Sadiq Khan.

Child deaths need priority in crash probes.

The police meet with those affected by the tragedy to hear concerns. The police confirmed the Specialist Crime Review Group would review matters to identify any “insufficiency” or “opportunity for further investigation”.

Met police to review investigation of deadly car crash at Wimbledon school.

No charges for driver over car crash deaths at The Study Preparatory School.

The Crown Prosecution (CPS) has announced that after taking into consideration all the material gathered, there is not sufficient evidence to bring charges. They went on to say that because the driver could not have predicted or prevented this tragedy, that it would not be in the public interest to pursue a criminal charge.

Trevor Sterling, who is representing the families in this case, stated that the decision by the CPS means that there is no evidence to prove the potential criminal charge. He then went on to say “there is a difference sometimes between proof and truth and what the families are trying to get to is the truth.”

Watch the ITV report here – Driver will face no criminal charges

Trevor Sterling, in a BBC interview, stated that the parents of Nuria and Selena have not had the opportunity to see the evidence and interrogate it. The parents are hoping that the inquest that follows will shed more light on the incident and satisfy their desire for justice.

Watch the BBC news coverage – Starts at 03:45 – BBC News at Six

On 23rd April 2024, the BBC interviewed Nuria’s parents and disclosed the letter received by Trevor Sterling from Metropolitan Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley which stated that the reason for the delay is in part due to the lack of resources, specifically the lack of Forensic Collision Investigators and issues regarding training as there is currently only one path to qualify. The family is now wanting to meet with the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.

The BBC and ITV also interviewed Trevor Sterling, who stated “it takes two and a half [years] specifically for a forensic examiners report to be prepared and the reality is that with that level of delay there is an impact on the timing of inquests, there is an impact on the timing of the criminal trial, there is an impact on the civil cases. As I say, delay is the enemy of justice”.

On 21 March 2024, Nuria’s parents appeared on ITV ahead of Nuria’s birthday to share their frustration at the lack of legal progress eight months on.

Moore Barlow have also now written to the Chief Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley requesting he meet the family members as we believe they deserve an explanation regarding the lack of resources and delay.

Read the full story here: https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/nuria-sajjads-parents-call-for-justice-following-wimbledon-school-crash

• Video shows Wimbledon crash girl playing piano moments before car ploughs into school
• Parents want answers over girl’s school crash death
• Family of girl, eight, killed in school crash ‘waiting for answers’ from police
• Heartbreaking footage shows Wimbledon crash victim Selena Lau, eight, playing the piano at an end-of-term tea party before Land Rover smashed into grounds of school killing her and another classmate.

Watch the video below

The overriding theme in all the reporting is that the parents are desperate for answers as to how this happened.

A private service is held for Nuria at a local venue in Wimbledon, attended by her friends and family.

Trevor Sterling spoke to Riz Lateef from Radio London, about the developments in the case.

Read the full BBC article – Mum shares photo taken moments before school crash

The main takeaways from the interview were:

• Six months on, what happened that day remains the subject of a police investigation. A 46-year-old woman from Wimbledon was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving in July and bailed until January.
• Those affected by the crash have been left traumatised and bewildered at what they see as a lack of progress.
• So far they have not had any answers to their questions. What led to the car losing control? Could anything have been done to prevent it? Who bears responsibility?
• Nuria’s father, Sajjad Butt, said there had not been much progress: “Ultimately, our position of essentially waiting for what we want and need,  justice, is still very much the status quo.”
• Ms Chohan said she and her husband felt they had to speak to BBC London, as they think it might help them get answers. “We shouldn’t have to do this,” she said. “This should have been the priority from day one. For us to talk to you to help raise our voice is a question again – why? We all know what happened.”
• Trevor Sterling, the senior partner at Moore Barlow, said this “Six months is too long. We have got to make sure the families are front and centre of this. This has been the most horrendous time for them. They’re entitled to have a clear picture as to what happened to their children.”

The Sunday Times publish  the interview from the 15th December.

Our girl smiled for this photo. Seconds later a Land Rover hit the school.

A witness came forward after the BBC interview, stating that he and his colleagues who were present at the time of the incident, had given their details to the police but received no follow-up. This is crucial because it underscores that the police did not reach out directly to key witnesses. The witnesses contacted Moore Barlow instead.

We understand the families want and need answers as to what happened. We are continuing to give them specialist support through our dedicated family liaison officers who are providing updates on the investigation where they can.

Specialist detectives are working tirelessly to establish the circumstances of that day, including analysing CCTV and examining the expert report from forensic collision investigators.

We recognise that the time taken can cause further distress but it is only right and fair to all involved that we carry out a thorough and extensive investigation.

• Woman arrested over fatal Wimbledon school crash re-bailed
• Woman arrested after Wimbledon school crash re-bailed until next year

“the driver was in a delirious condition and had bitten through her tongue. She had stopped outside the school but the car took off as if the driver had suddenly floored the accelerator. At this point the police believe she had some kind of seizure just before the accident.”

• Major update in probe into Wimbledon school crash which killed girl, 8, and left two critically injured
• Driver had ‘seizure at wheel’ leading to crash at Study Prep School

• Second girl, 8, dies after Wimbledon school car crash

The London Ambulance Service was mobilised after there were calls of a collision at The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon. The London Ambulance service declared it a major incident with fifteen ambulances in attendance as well as thirty-five police vehicles.