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

The investigation into a car crash that killed two eight-year-old girls at a school in Wimbledon has been reopened, the Metropolitan Police has said.

Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau died after a Land Rover smashed through a fence and collided with a building at The Study Prep school in Camp Road, southwest London, which was hosting an end-of-term tea party on 6 July last year.

The force launched a review after "concerns" were raised by their families after it was announced the driver of the 4×4, Claire Freemantle, had suffered an epileptic seizure behind the wheel and would not face criminal charges.

The families had said they remained "unconvinced" the investigation was conducted thoroughly and welcomed the announcement that the probe is being reopened.

Selena's mother, Jessie Deng, said: "I sincerely hope that this ongoing nightmare for all of the families and Selena's schoolmates can come to an end soon."

The Met said in a statement: "The review has identified a number of lines of enquiry that require further examination and, as such, the investigation will now be reopened.

"The families have been updated with this development and we will continue to meet with them to provide updates on the investigation as it progresses.

"We know this has been and remains a really difficult time for them. We believe this further investigative work will address all questions raised by the families affected.

"This further investigation will be undertaken by an accredited senior investigating officer and team with experience in homicide investigations."

In a statement in June, Ms Freemantle expressed her "deepest sorrow" and said she had "no recollection of what took place" after losing consciousness.

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The girls' families said Nuria and Selena "deserved better" after it was announced she would not face charges.

"We remain unconvinced that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have reached a decision based on all the facts. Justice has neither been done, nor has been seen to be done today," they said.

Left in 'strange kind of limbo'

After the Met's announcement that the investigation would be reopened, Ms Deng said: "All we have ever wanted is a thorough and open investigation for Selena, Nuria and the other families whose lives were turned upside down one summer afternoon, whatever the outcome might be.

"Before 6 July 2023 I had always believed the police would be there, for anyone, at their time of need. Instead, since that day, we have been left in a strange kind of limbo not knowing why this tragedy occurred."

Nuria's father, Saj Butt, said: "No parent should ever have to go through the pain my wife, Smera, and I have experienced over the past 15 months.

"The initial investigation seemed flawed and left so many unanswered questions. Now, as we put our lives on hold again, we can only welcome the news that a new investigation has been launched with a new, specialist and more experienced team.

"While we know nothing will bring Nuria back, we hope this new investigation will finally uncover what really happened on 6 July 2023, and at last allow us, and the hundreds of others affected by what happened, to begin some sort of healing process."

(c) Sky News 2024: Met Police reopen investigation into Wimbledon school crash that killed two eight-year-old g