The Metropolitan Police will be reopening the investigation into the tragic school crash that took the lives of two eight-year-old girls in Wimbledon last summer. In July 2023, a Land Rover crashed into the playground of The Study Prep school, resulting in the death of Selena Lau and Nuria Sajjad, as well as injuring 12 others.
Initially, the driver of the vehicle, Claire Freemantle, was not charged as it was determined that she had suffered an epileptic seizure at the time of the incident. Despite her expressing deep sorrow and claiming no recollection of the events, the families of the deceased girls were left with unanswered questions following the first investigation.
Nuria’s parents, Sajjad Butt and Smera Chohan, as well as Selena’s parents, Frankie Lau and Jessie Deng, raised concerns about the thoroughness of the initial investigation. They stated that doubts remained, casting doubt on the fairness of the process.
After a four-month internal review, the Metropolitan Police has decided to reopen the case, citing the need to further examine certain lines of enquiry. The families of the victims have been informed of this decision and will be kept updated on the progress of the new investigation.
The police force has assured that the new investigation will be conducted by experienced officers with a background in homicide investigations. They believe that this additional investigative work will address all the questions raised by the affected families.
The families of Selena Lau and Nuria Sajjad have welcomed the news of the reopening of the investigation, hopeful that it will provide them with the answers they have been seeking since the tragic incident took place.
The tragic accident that occurred at The Study Prep school in Wimbledon has left a lasting impact on the families of the victims, as well as the wider community. The reopening of the investigation brings a glimmer of hope for closure and justice for all those affected by this heartbreaking event.
