Wimbledon school crash: Driver questioned after death of girl, 8on July 7, 2023 at 10:53 am

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The driver of a car which crashed into a school is questioned as floral tributes are laid at the scene.

A Land Rover Defender is seen inside the grounds of The Study Preparatory SchoolImage source, PA Media

Police are continuing to question a woman over a car crash at a school which killed an eight-year-old girl, as floral tributes are laid at the scene.

Twelve people were taken to hospital after a Land Rover crashed into The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon.

None of the children injured on Thursday are in a critical condition, the chair of governors told the BBC.

The woman in her 40s remains in custody having been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

One line of inquiry is that the driver had a medical incident, the BBC understands.

The Met Police has removed the car from the site, in south-west London, as part of its investigation and the cordon has been lifted. The force has said it is not treating the crash as terror-related.

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London Ambulance Service said it sent 15 ambulances to the scene and treated 16 people.

St George’s Hospital in Tooting said it had received “a number of patients who are being cared for by our specialist clinical teams”.

Det Ch Sup Clair Kelland, local police commander for south-west London, said: “We would ask people not to speculate while we work to understand the full circumstances of what has happened during this tragic incident.”

Floral tributes have been laid outside the school for girls aged four to 11, which is based on Camp Road near Wimbledon Common.

One local teacher, who asked not to be named, told the BBC she knows some of the families affected by the crash and said they were “distressed”.

Flowers outside gates underneath 'Wilberforce House' sign

She said: “I wanted to pay tribute to this girl, her family and the school, and I’m really sorry.

“I wanted to pay my respects and for [my son] to see that’s an important thing to do.”

MP for Wimbledon Stephen Hammond said the pupils had been gathered for an end-of-year celebration party in the garden. He described the crash as “extremely distressing and extremely concerning”.

John Tucker, chair of the board of governors, said “the school community is profoundly affected by this tragedy”.

Map and satellite image showing the location of the school

The school’s website was replaced by a holding page with a statement reading: “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.”

The private girls’ school is just a mile away from the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club as it hosts the world-famous tennis tournament.

Ian Hewitt, chair of the All England Club, visited the school to “offer our heartfelt sympathies to all affected by this tragic, tragic incident”.

Ian Hewitt

He added: “I just want to offer condolences on behalf of the All England Club and everyone involved in Wimbledon Tennis.

“We feel closely associated with the community and we recognise what a tragic incident [it is].”

On Thursday, a spokesman for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said his “deepest condolences” were with the family of the girl who had died, and his thoughts were with all of those involved and injured.

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