Driver bailed after SUV ploughed into Wimbledon primary school tea party and two 8-year-old girls killed

30 January 2025, 20:51

Selena Lau (L) and Nuria Sajjad (R), both eight, died in the incident at The Study Prep school in Wimbledon, south-west London, in July 2023 while celebrating the last day of the summer term.
Selena Lau (L) and Nuria Sajjad (R), both eight, died in the incident at The Study Prep school in Wimbledon, south-west London, in July 2023 while celebrating the last day of the summer term. Picture: Handout/Alamy

By Josef Al Shemary

The driver of a 4x4 Range Rover which crashed into a tea party at a school in Wimbledon has been bailed following her re-arrest.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The 48-year-old previously named as Claire Freemantle has been let go on bail after she was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

It was the second time she had been arrested for the offence, the first time being at the scene of the collision on July 6, 2023.

Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau – both eight years old – died when a car crashed through a fence and collided with a building at the Study Prep School.

The girls died while at a tea party to celebrate the end of the summer term.

Read more: 'We deserve answers': Parents of girl killed in Wimbledon school 4x4 crash say they are ‘living a nightmare’

A Land Rover Defender inside the grounds of The Study Preparatory School
A Land Rover Defender inside the grounds of The Study Preparatory School. Picture: Alamy

In June last year, the Metropolitan Police said she had suffered an epileptic seizure and would face no criminal charges.

But the girls' families said they were unconvinced the investigation had been carried out thoroughly and in October, the force said it would reopen its inquiry.

On Tuesday, the families of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau released a statement welcoming the reopening of the investigation.

They 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.

Read more: Driver of SUV involved in Wimbledon primary school crash that killed two girls arrested

Driver of SUV involved in Wimbledon primary school crash that killed two girls arrested

"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."

Read more: Investigation into fatal Wimbledon school crash 'to re-open' after first probe left driver facing no charges

Nuria Sajjad, 8, was killed in the crash
Nuria Sajjad, 8, was killed in the crash. Picture: Alamy

In October, the investigation was moved to the Specialist Crime Command, under Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford.

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?

Selena Lau was named as the victim.
Selena Lau was named as a victim. Picture: Handout

"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."

Anyone with information can contact the major incident room on 0207 175 0793, call 101 quoting CAD 6528/27Jan, or message @MetCC on X providing the CAD reference.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The Princess of Wales has shares portraits drawn by her three children during the half-term break.

Princess of Wales shares heartwarming portraits drawn by kids George, Charlotte and Louis during half-term break

Double Olympic champion and Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas will retire from cycling this year.

Tour de France winner and double Olympic champion Geraint Thomas to retire from cycling at end of season

A 13-year-old boy has died and five others have been arrested following  a car crash on A672 Oldham Road.

Boy, 13, dies and five others arrested as Vauxhall Corsa spins off road in horror car crash

Lisa Smith, 43, was named by Kent Police

Pictured: Mother-of-two shot dead at pub on Valentine's Day - as police search river Thames for partner

Julia Wandelt who has claimed to be Madeleine McCann

Woman who claims to be Madeleine McCann releases bombshell new DNA test results

Pope Francis will need to remain in hospital with a respiratory tract infection

Pope to remain in hospital with infection as doctors tackle 'complex clinical picture'

One lucky punter scooped £65m on the EuroMillions

Lucky UK ticket-holder claims £65m Valentine's Day EuroMillions jackpot

A life-drawing class that has been running for over 30 years has been told its models must cover-up or find a new venue.

Models at life drawing class in posh London neighbourhood told to cover up over child 'safeguarding' concerns

Exclusive
An investigation by LBC can reveal there are more than 1.1m homes sitting empty across England - the equivalent of one in every 23.

More than 1.1m homes sitting empty across England as thousands left at risk of homelessness

William Howell was found dead in the Aria Casino Hotel in August 2023

Heartbroken family of British man 'left alone to die' in Las Vegas suing ambulance company and hotel where he died

Conor Maynard shared a health update after his fall

Singer Conor Maynard gives health update after being rushed to hospital on stretcher

Lisa Smith, 43, has been named by Kent Police as the victim of the shooting on Valentine's Day

Mother-of-two shot dead at pub on Valentines’ Day is named - as tributes paid to ‘wonderful mum’

Bafta winners

Conclave and The Brutalist win big at 2025 BAFTA awards - as absent Gascón nomination met with rousing applause

Jennifer Rauchet, Pete Hegest, US defence secretary, and Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Minister of Defence of Poland, during a welcoming ceremony in Warsaw, Poland, on February 14, 2025.

Ukraine is the 'frontline' of Britain, Starmer says as US begins peace talks with Russia

A fire that engulfed luxury hotel Chiltern Firehouse reportedly started in a pizza oven.

Fire that engulfed celebrity haunt Chiltern Firehouse 'started in pizza oven' of luxury hotel

Julie Buckley, 54, has not been seen since late January when she went missing from the village of Christchurch, Cambridgeshire.

Man charged with murder in 'no-body' case after woman goes missing in Cambridgeshire