Wimbledon school car crash latest: Eight year-old girl killed and 15 injured as woman arrested
Rescue workers attend the scene of the accident at Wimbledon school
An eight-year-old girl has died and 15 others were injured after a Land Rover crashed into a girls’ school in Wimbledon, police have confirmed.
According to reports, a graduation tea party was in progress at Study Prep School on Camp Road when the accident happened around 10am on Thursday.
Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland’s voice broke as she told a news conference: “It is very sad that one of the children, an eight-year-old girl, died at the scene.”
She added, “This is a very difficult time for everyone here at the school and throughout the community.”
A woman in her 40s was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing her death by dangerous driving and remains in custody.
Wimbledon, a preparatory school for students between the ages of four and 11, declined to comment on the incident.
The all girls school is about a mile from the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, which is currently hosting the Wimbledon Grand Slam Championship.
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Rishi Sunak thanks rescue workers after ‘terrible’ Wimbledon accident
A spokesman for Rishi Sunak offered the Prime Minister’s deepest condolences to the family of the eight-year-old girl who “tragically died tragically” in the training tragedy at Wimbledon today.
“His thoughts are with everyone injured and involved in the horrific collision at Wimbledon this morning.
“This will have been a terrifying experience for all the children, staff and parents,” the spokesman continued, adding the Prime Minister thanked the emergency services for their quick response.
Maanya SachdevaJuly 6, 2023 4:28 p.m
“My thoughts are with the girl’s family”: Hammond
Conservative Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond has reacted to the news that an eight-year-old girl died after a Land Rover crashed into Study Prep school on Camp Road.
It is tragic to hear the news that a young girl has died at the study school following the incident this morning.” Mr Hammond tweeted. “My thoughts are with the girl’s family and friends.”
Earlier in the day, Mr Hammond described the incident as “extraordinarily devastating”.
Maanya SachdevaJuly 6, 2023 3:58 p.m
Police will review evidence and identify witnesses in the coming days
When asked about police next steps, DCS Kelland said: “There is one person in custody who needs to be questioned and from that point forward we need to review the evidence and make a decision as to what actually happened.”
She said officers would try to identify witnesses and review CCTV footage in the coming days.
Maanya SachdevaJuly 6, 2023 3:34 p.m
School community ‘deeply affected’ by tragedy
Asked about the impact of the tragedy on the school, John Tucker, the governors’ leader, said at the news conference the community was “deeply affected” by Thursday’s incident, but was unable to comment further.
Maanya SachdevaJuly 6, 2023 3:29 p.m
16 patients treated on site
dr John Martin, London Ambulance Services’ chief paramedic, said: “We have deployed several resources including specialist intensive care workers, the London Ambulance Helicopter and 15 ambulances.
“We have reported a serious incident. We treated 16 patients on site. Unfortunately, as we have heard, an eight-year-old girl has passed away,” he continued.
“Our thoughts today are with everyone affected by the tragedy,” added Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Pennick of the London Fire Brigade.
When asked if there were likely to be more deaths, DCS Kelland said, “All I can say is that a number of people are being treated.”
Maanya SachdevaJuly 6, 2023 3:11 p.m
According to police, the girl who died was eight years old
An eight-year-old girl died at the scene, Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland said at a press conference. “This is a very difficult time for everyone here at the school and throughout the community.”
Ms Kelland’s voice broke as she described the accident, adding: “It is very sad that one of the children, an eight year old girl, died at the scene of the accident.
“Our thoughts are with her family at this incredibly difficult time.”
She added that a woman in her 40s who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing her death by dangerous driving remains in custody.
She urged people not to speculate while the investigation was ongoing, adding that police did not consider the incident “terrorist”.
(BBC News)
Maanya SachdevaJuly 6, 2023 3:09 p.m
The police want to report on the accident at the elementary school after a girl died
Police will give an update on the car crash at Wimbledon Primary School after it was confirmed a girl had died and a woman was arrested on suspicion of causing her death from dangerous driving.
Follow our live blog as we continue to bring you the latest updates.
Maanya SachdevaJuly 6, 2023 2:57 p.m
Witness “disturbed” by accident.
A witness outside Wimbledon school said parents picked up their children and some were “disturbed”.
Zac Powell, who didn’t give his age or address, told reporters, “I got there around 10:15, which is 15 minutes after the incident.”
“When I arrived, I saw many distraught parents running from the crime scene.
“Since then I have seen many parents picking up their children with an expression of relief or despair.
“There was quite a bit of damage that I could see. Even from afar.
“Armed police forces were here at the scene of the crime just 15 minutes after my arrival.”
Matt MathersJuly 6, 2023 2:43 p.m
Breaking News: Girl dies after Land Rover accident
Officials also confirmed that a woman was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.
Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, Local Police Commander for South West London, said: “This is tragic news and our thoughts today are with the girl’s family and friends and all those affected.”
“We remain at the scene and are continuing our investigation into the full circumstances of the incident.” We can also confirm that the driver of the vehicle, a woman in her 40s, was arrested on suspicion of the cause of death as a result of dangerous driving.”
(Holly Evans)
Matt MathersJuly 6, 2023 2:31 p.m
Land Rover reportedly crashed during the closing tea party
The gold Land Rover reportedly crashed at a “graduation tea party” at the Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon on Thursday, injuring seven children and two adults
A local reportedly said so evening standard: “I was told that there was a graduation party when the car drove into the school. Everyone is extremely shocked.”
Another person is said to have told it Mirror “The children were sitting on the grass with their teachers” as the tea party was reportedly underway when the collision occurred.
Maanya SachdevaJuly 6, 2023 1:50 p.m