Wimbledon school accident: Met Police reopen investigation

The Metropolitan Police will conduct a new investigation into the Wimbledon training breach to further examine a number of lines of inquiry.

Two children died and 12 were injured when a Land Rover drove into the playground the Study Prep School last summer.

Following the initial investigation, the driver, Claire Freemantle, was notified No further action would be taken.

The families of the two deceased girls, Selena Lau and Nuria Sajjad, criticized the initial police investigation and the lack of traffic accident investigators.

After the initial investigation, the prosecutor's office informed the families that the driver would not be charged because she had suffered an epileptic seizure.

Ms Freemantle publicly expressed her “deepest sadness” and said she had “no recollection of what happened”.

The girls' families said they were “not convinced” the investigation was thorough.

Four months later, senior Met officials have now decided to launch a new investigation into the crash following an internal review.

Police said: “The review has identified a number of lines of inquiry that require further consideration and the investigation will therefore now be reopened.”

“The families have been informed of this development and we will continue to meet with them to provide updates as the investigation progresses.”

“We know this has been and continues to be a really difficult time for them.

“We believe this further investigative work will answer all questions raised by the affected families.”

“This further investigation is being carried out by an accredited senior investigating officer and a team with experience in murder investigations.”

The families of the deceased children have welcomed the new investigation.

Franky Lau, Selena's father, told BBC London: “All we have ever wanted is a thorough and open investigation for Selena, Nuria and the other families whose lives were turned upside down on a summer afternoon, whatever whatever the result may be.”

“Before July 6, 2023, I always believed that the police would be there for everyone when they needed help.

“Instead, since that day we have been in a strange kind of limbo, not knowing why this tragedy occurred.

“This new investigation is welcome and I sincerely hope that this ongoing nightmare can soon come to an end for all families and Selena’s schoolmates.”