A tragic incident in Wimbledon, south-west London, has claimed the life of a second young girl after a car crashed into a local school last Thursday. The Metropolitan Police have identified eight-year-old Nuria Sajjad as the second victim of this heartbreaking accident.
Selena Lau, also aged eight, tragically lost her life in the immediate aftermath of the incident. The local community came together to pay their respects to Selena over the weekend, describing her as an "intelligent and cheeky girl" who was "adored and loved by everyone".
In a poignant statement issued by the police on Sunday, Nuria's family remembered her as the "light of our lives". The grieving family said: "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Nuria on Sunday, 9 July 2023. Nuria was the light of our lives. She embodied joy, kindness and generosity and she was loved by all around her.
We would like to thank the efforts of the emergency services, all the extraordinary staff at St George’s Hospital, the parents of Nuria’s class fellows and staff of the Study Prep for all they have done to ease Nuria’s journey. We request that our privacy is respected at this difficult time."
The crash occurred at The Study Preparatory School involving a Land Rover and led to multiple casualties. Several individuals were rushed to the hospital for treatment. Police also revealed that a seven-month-old girl was taken to hospital with injuries ultimately deemed non-life threatening.
Thirty-five police vehicles were deployed to the area and police worked with paramedics to give first aid to several people who had been wounded in the incident.
Among the injured, a woman in her 40s remains in serious condition. The driver of the Land Rover, a 46-year-old woman, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. She has since been released on bail until late July.
At the time of the incident, she was taken to hospital, with her condition being assessed as non-life threatening.
As the investigation unfolds, the police are requesting the public to refrain from speculating about the incident, stating it is not being treated as terror-related.
During the time of the incident, the school had been hosting an end-of-semester tea party. Tragically, the vehicle broke through the school fence and crashed into a building. Emergency services, including 35 police vehicles and 15 ambulances from the London Ambulance Service, were dispatched to the scene, treating 16 people.
The Study Preparatory School, a private girls' school located just a mile from the globally renowned All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, is now closed until September. To aid those affected by this tragedy, Merton Council is providing counselling support to the affected families, pupils, and staff at the school.