A 16-year-old pupil at a £31,000-a-year private school died this morning after being hit by an Addison Lee taxi while on her way to class.
The Year 12 student was struck while walking across the street near Highgate School on North Road, Hornsey, just after 8am today.
She became stuck under the black Mercedes Vito people carrier, with firefighters forced to lift the vehicle with specialist equipment to free the girl, witnesses reported. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 68-year-old driver was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by careless driving.
A spokesman for private hire group Addison Lee – which provides everything from chauffeured cars and minibuses to couriers – said the vehicle involved belonged to the company.
‘We are aware of a serious incident that took place today involving one of our vehicles and pedestrians at approximately 8.30am in the Highgate vicinity,’ he said.
‘Our thoughts are with those people affected.
‘Due to its nature, the incident response is being led and managed by the police, and we supporting them in their investigation.
‘As the facts are yet to be determined, we are unable to comment further at this stage.’
The area has been closed with a cordon remaining in place this afternoon. The Metropolitan Police said the girl’s family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
Officers at the scene near Highgate School on North Road, Hornsey, this morning
A spokesperson from Highgate School said the news of the girl’s death ‘has come as a terrible shock to everyone at Highgate’.
They added: ‘It is with deep sadness that we share the news that one of our Y12 pupils died today on the way to school in a road traffic incident.
‘Out of respect for the family’s privacy, no further details will be shared at this time. We thank you for your understanding and compassion.
‘The loss of such a young life, so full of promise and hope, is deeply heartbreaking, and we extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and all those affected by this awful news.
‘She will be greatly missed, and we will continue to support her family, our pupils and staff, and the wider community, as we mourn her loss.’
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 8:11am today (24 September) to reports of a road traffic collision on North Road, Highgate, N6.
‘We sent an ambulance crew, paramedics in fast response cars, an incident response officer, a motorcycle responder and an advanced paramedic. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.
‘We treated a teenager, but very sadly, despite our best efforts, she died at the scene.’
Anyone with information has been urged to call 101 quoting CAD1525/24Sept.
