Police have re-arrested the driver of the car that ploughed into a Wimbledon prep school in 2023, killing two pupils.
Claire Freemantle, 48, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving this morning and remains in custody.
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 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 Defender ploughed into the celebrations.
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 Ms Freemantle had suffered an epileptic shock behind the wheel, that she had never had a seizure before and she was in good health before the crash.
But following concerns raised by Selena’s and Nuria’s families, a review found ‘lines of enquiry which required further examination’.
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 get in touch.
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.’
Following the announcement by the Met Police, the families of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau said: ‘We welcomed the reopening of the investigation in October 2024 by the Metropolitan Police into the death of our beautiful girls and the harm caused to those injured and who witnessed the tragedy on that sunny July day.
‘It is important that this investigation runs its course unhindered and that each step taken is done so in the pursuit of truth and the full facts.
‘As the investigation continues, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.’
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.
‘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, Ms Freemantle 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.
‘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.’
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.