Wimbledon school crash: Girl and woman critically hurt - as driver released on bail
One girl, 8 died following the crash at a school in Wimbledon on Thursday. Police say a second girl, 8, is in a life-threatening condition, while a woman in her 40s is also in hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Friday 7 July 2023 20:31, UK
A second eight-year-old girl is in a life-threatening condition after a car crashed into a primary school in southwest London.
Tributes have been left at the scene to a "shining star" - also an eight-year-old girl - who died after the crash in Wimbledon on Thursday.
A woman in her 40s also remains in hospital in a critical condition, the Met Police said in an update on Friday.
A woman, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after the crash at The Study Preparatory School on Camp Road.
She has been released on bail until a date later this month, the Metropolitan Police said today.
A baby - aged just seven months - was also injured in the collision.
A total of 16 people were treated at the scene and 12 were taken to hospital following the incident which happened during a garden party to celebrate the end of the school year.
Read more:
Police question woman, 46, after crash
Parents 'absolutely shell-shocked' over crash at school
"We understand the school-age children were pupils at the school," the Met Police said in a statement.
"The injured adults were parents or carers of the children; not staff members," the force added.
The Study Preparatory School said it was "profoundly shocked by the tragic accident" and "devastated that it has claimed the life of one of our young pupils as well as injuring several others".
The independent school is for girls aged four to 11 and sits on Wimbledon Common, just a mile away from the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club as it hosts the world-famous tennis tournament.
It is understood that the car hit the area of the school used by its younger pupils, aged between four and eight.
Scores of tributes were left at the scene on Thursday.
One read: "To The Study and parents. So sorry for this tragic loss to the school and the family. Forever in our thoughts."
Another said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with you all on this tragic day."
Ian Hewitt, chairman of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, was among those who laid flowers at the school on Friday.
He told reporters: "We feel closely associated with the community.
"What a tragic incident. We just offer our heartfelt sympathies to all affected."
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Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, local policing commander for southwest London, said officers were doing "all we can" to support families.
"It is difficult to imagine the pain and upset the families of those involved are going through," she said.
There's a stillness at the scene, except for the constant flow of traffic
The number of flowers, cards and messages is growing as passers-by come to pay their respects at the school gates.
The wooden fence next to the black railings has partially collapsed, giving those on the street a view of the garden and building where the tragedy unfolded.
Today - just over 24 hours since the death of the eight-year-old pupil - there's been a distinct lack of police presence at the scene. There's no forensics tent, no officers present to guard the scene and no cordon tape at the school.
Green tarpaulin covers the front of the building which the car crashed into. We've learnt Wilberforce House at the prep school teaches reception, up to Year 3.
Four officers from the local neighbourhood group have just arrived to offer reassurance to the community and have entered the school car park which is distinctly full of cars belonging to the staff.
The blistering sun is shining down on passers-by, joggers and dog walkers - some with flowers and some stopping to pay silent tributes. Some children have brought cuddly toys with them too.
One thing stands out though - even in the quiet of this corner of southwest London.
This is a very busy junction - with dog walkers on the Common, the golf club and the Wimbledon and Putney Conservators club all off the road. There are 20mph signs along the country road but there is a constant flow of vehicle traffic.
She added: "I know the impact of this tragic incident is also being felt in the wider community and we are working with our partners to ensure the appropriate support is in place.
"I understand many people will want answers about how this happened and there is a team of detectives working to establish the circumstances.
"I would ask the community to avoid speculating on a possible cause whilst these enquiries are carried out."