Police have re-arrested the driver of the car that ploughed into a Wimbledon prep school in 2023, killing two pupils.
A 48-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving this morning and remains in custody, the Met Police said.
Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both eight, were killed when the car crashed through a fence outside the school and collided with a building shortly before 10am on July 6. Fifteen others, including children, adults and even a seven-month-old baby were left injured.
The girls had been enjoying an end-of-term party at The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon, south-west London, when a Land Rover driven by Ms Freemantle ploughed into the celebrations, fatally injuring them and wounding a dozen others.
An initial investigation by the force’s Roads and Transport Policing Command resulted in a direction from the Crown Prosecution Service in June 2024 that the driver should face no further action.
It found that the driver had suffered an epileptic shock behind the wheel.
But following concerns raised by Selena’s and Nuria’s families, a review found ‘lines of enquiry which required further examination’.
The review by the Specialist Crime Review Group highlighted issues with how officers handled the initial investigation, including failing to interview witnesses in the immediate aftermath of the crash.
Selena Lau, eight, was one of two little girls killed in the crash at Wimbledon Prep School in July 2023
Nuria Sajjad, eight, also died from her injuries after the car crashed through a fence at the school
The vehicle careered across the school lawn and crashed into one of the buildings
There was also a problem with establishing the evidence of an epileptic seizure, and diagnosis without brain scans, it has been reported.
The families had said they remained ‘unconvinced’ that the investigation was conducted thoroughly after it was announced in June that the driver would not face criminal charges.
Police are now launching a fresh appeal for any witnesses to come forward.
Detective Superintendent Basford said: ‘I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to any witnesses or individuals with information who are yet to speak to police to please come forward.
‘Were you attending the local golf course or driving in or around the area of the Study Prep School in Wimbledon at the time of the collision? Did you see the vehicle – a distinctive gold Land Rover Defender – in the lead up to the collision?
‘We believe there were people in the local area who have not been spoken to by police and remain unidentified. I would ask those individuals to please contact us.
‘Our main priority is to ensure the lines of enquiry identified by the review are progressed. This is a live investigation and in order to maintain its integrity I can’t go into further detail at this stage. I would urge people to avoid speculation.’
When the case was reopened, Selena Lau’s heartbroken mother, Jessie 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 the 6th of 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.
‘This new investigation is welcome and I sincerely hope that this ongoing nightmare for all of the families and Selena’s schoolmates can come to an end soon.’
Speaking after the CPS’s initial decision, the driver released a statement saying she had no memory of the incident, having lost consciousness.
She said: ‘Since I became aware of the terrible event that took place on July 6, the devastating consequences for all those affected have not left my thoughts and will be with me for the rest of my life,’ she said.
‘I have since been diagnosed as having suffered an epileptic seizure with loss of consciousness. This was not a pre-existing condition. As a result of losing consciousness I have no recollection of what took place.
‘I can only express my deepest sorrow for the families who have suffered such dreadful loss and injury.
‘As a mother, I understand there can be no words that adequately express the pain and loss resulting from what happened in those horrendous moments while I was unconscious.
Specialist officers are pictured at the scene of the incident, which took place during an end of year party
Selena Lau playing piano at a school concert shortly before tragedy struck last July
Nuria’s mother Smera was also injured in the horrific crash that took place just after this photo of them was taken
The Land Rover was taken away by police after the incident with the help of specialist equipment
‘My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of the children and families affected, and especially to the parents of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau.’
After the initial decision that no further action would be taken was announced, the parents of Selena and Nuria released a joint statement.
They said: ‘All the victims of the events of July 6 2023 did nothing wrong.
‘We were all in the safest place we could have been outside our own homes. We were celebrating a day filled with joy.
‘Nuria and Selena’s lives were taken in a moment. So many lives were also irreparably shattered in that moment.
‘Hundreds of people – parents, teachers, children, neighbours, friends and family members – will never lead ‘normal’ lives again. Some of us will never experience joy again.
‘We have tried to keep faith in the systems and institutions that are supposed to protect victims and deliver justice to those affected. We have been disappointed by this system. We have already expressed, publicly, our dissatisfaction with the pace of the investigative process.
‘It is now clear to us that the depth of the process is questionable too. In the absence of any concrete evidence to the contrary, we can only surmise that the investigation has been equally poor.’
The Met is asking anyone with information to contact the major incident room on 0207 175 0793, call 101 quoting CAD 6528/27Jan.
To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
