The Study Preparatory School tragedy
Stay updated with Moore Barlow’s handling of the Study Preparatory School tragedy
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On 6th July 2023, a series of emergency calls were received by London Ambulance Service in relation to a vehicle collision at The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon.
It was the end of year tea party, and all the teachers, students and parents were outside celebrating the last day before summer holidays.
At approximately 9.54 am, a Land Rover Defender crashed through the school’s wooden fence and into the back of the school building. The London Ambulance service declared it a major incident with fifteen ambulances dispatched to the scene. There were also thirty-five police vehicles were in attendance.
The Sunday Times reported that the car crash left sixteen people needing treatment at the scene, with ten taken to hospital after the incident. Sadly, Selena Lau, a student at The Study Prep, died at the scene. The 46-year-old woman who was driving was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and taken into custody. She was later bailed until late July.
Three days after the tragic accident, Nuria Sajjad, another student at The Study Prep, passed away due to her injuries, whilst her mother was also hospitalised following the accident due to the extent of her injuries.
Merton Council stated that it was offering counselling to all the families affected, as well as students and staff at the school.
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”What we’re looking to do is to understand exactly how this tragic incident occurred. Above all, we have to remember that we’re talking about parents, parents who lost their loved ones. We need to make sure we can understand exactly how this incident occurred and that they can ensure there’s a level of accountability and lessons can be learned.”
Trevor Sterling – Senior partner and lead lawyer on the case
The case in numbers …
How long has it been?
The accident happened on 6th July 2023. On the 26 June 2024 the Crown Prosecution (CPS) has announced that after taking into consideration all the material gathered, there is not sufficient evidence to bring charges.
How many victims are there?
There were two fatalities and a further 10 school children, parents and teaches were injured. There may be more suffering psychological trauma.
The Moore Barlow team
Moore Barlow has a team of 2 lawyers and 1 paralegal working on the case, backed up by a support team of 20 internal and external personnel.
How many people are under investigation?
There is a 46-year old woman under investigation.
The timeline
29 January 2025
The driver has been rearrested
Ms Freemantle has been rearrested after the investigation was moved to the Specialist Crime Command, under Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford.
Following the arrest, Detective Superintendent Lewis 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?
The Met is asking anyone with information to contact the major incident room on 0207 175 0793 or call 101 quoting CAD 6528/27Jan.
Press
Independent – https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/wimbledon-school-crash-driver-arrested-b2687548.html
The Standard – https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/wimbledon-prep-school-crash-arrest-nuria-sajjad-selena-lau-b1207551.html
25 October 2024
Police Reopen Investigation into Wimbledon School Crash
The Metropolitan Police have reopened the investigation into the Wimbledon school crash that tragically killed eight-year-olds Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau and injured 12 others in July 2023. Initially, the driver, Claire Freemantle, was not charged, but following concerns raised by the victims’ families about the investigation’s thoroughness, the case is now being reviewed to address unanswered questions. The families have welcomed the new investigation .
Trevor Sterling, Senior partner at Moore Barlow, who is representing the victims’ families, said
I welcome this decision, because ultimately it’s not just about justice being done but being seen to be done. This is a unique case, in that what we have is a situation where the parents were there. It has been frustrating, distressing and the most important thing now is that the investigations can be concluded as quickly as possible so that the families can have a detailed understanding of what happened.
Parents of the victims, Franky Lau, Jessie Deng, and Saj Butt, who feel let down, expressed deep frustration over unanswered questions, missing witness statements, and the lack of thorough investigative steps. They hope the new inquiry will bring clarity and healing.
Press
BBC – Police reopen Wimbledon school crash investigation
The Guardian – Parents of children killed in Wimbledon school crash welcome new inquiry
Sky – Met Police reopen investigation into Wimbledon school crash that killed two eight-year-old girls
10 September 2024
Deputy Chief Commissioner replies to the Mayor confirming the Review report should be available “within weeks”
21 August 2024
Moore Barlow lawyers and clients meet with the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Sophie Linden, to discuss client’s concerns in relation to investigations. The Mayor consequently wrote to the police seeking clarification in respect of the terms of reference of the Specialist Crime Review Group and status of the review.
Families of the Wimbledon crash victims meet mayor Sadiq Khan.
Child deaths need priority in crash probes.
24 July 2024
The police meet with those affected by the tragedy to hear concerns. The police confirmed the Specialist Crime Review Group would review matters to identify any “insufficiency” or “opportunity for further investigation”.
Met police to review investigation of deadly car crash at Wimbledon school.
26 June 2024
No charges for driver over car crash deaths at The Study Preparatory School.
The Crown Prosecution (CPS) has announced that after taking into consideration all the material gathered, there is not sufficient evidence to bring charges. They went on to say that because the driver could not have predicted or prevented this tragedy, that it would not be in the public interest to pursue a criminal charge.
Trevor Sterling, who is representing the families in this case, stated that the decision by the CPS means that there is no evidence to prove the potential criminal charge. He then went on to say “there is a difference sometimes between proof and truth and what the families are trying to get to is the truth.”
Watch the ITV report here – Driver will face no criminal charges
Trevor Sterling, in a BBC interview, stated that the parents of Nuria and Selena have not had the opportunity to see the evidence and interrogate it. The parents are hoping that the inquest that follows will shed more light on the incident and satisfy their desire for justice.
Watch the BBC news coverage – Starts at 03:45 – BBC News at Six
23 April 2024
On 23rd April 2024, the BBC interviewed Nuria’s parents and disclosed the letter received by Trevor Sterling from Metropolitan Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley which stated that the reason for the delay is in part due to the lack of resources, specifically the lack of Forensic Collision Investigators and issues regarding training as there is currently only one path to qualify. The family is now wanting to meet with the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
The BBC and ITV also interviewed Trevor Sterling, who stated “it takes two and a half [years] specifically for a forensic examiners report to be prepared and the reality is that with that level of delay there is an impact on the timing of inquests, there is an impact on the timing of the criminal trial, there is an impact on the civil cases. As I say, delay is the enemy of justice”.
21 March 2024
On 21 March 2024, Nuria’s parents appeared on ITV ahead of Nuria’s birthday to share their frustration at the lack of legal progress eight months on.
Moore Barlow have also now written to the Chief Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley requesting he meet the family members as we believe they deserve an explanation regarding the lack of resources and delay.
Read the full story here: https://www.itv.com/thismorning/articles/nuria-sajjads-parents-call-for-justice-following-wimbledon-school-crash
Trevor Sterling speaks to Vanessa Feltz
Trevor Sterling said there have been “no adequate updates” and “no time scale” for the families to work towards. He added: “The more they wait, the worse it is for them.”
Nuria and Selena’s parents have demand “justice for their daughter” saying they are “suffering every day”.
The Met police have confirmed that their investigation is still ongoing and said “This was a tragic incident, and we understand that the families want and need answers as to what happened. We recognise that the time taken can cause further distress, but it is only right and fair to all involved that we carry out a thorough and extensive investigation.”
5 February 2024
The interview with Vanessa Feltz, from Talk TV has also been reported on by the below publications.
- Video shows Wimbledon crash girl playing piano moments before car ploughs into school
- Parents want answers over girl’s school crash death
- Family of girl, eight, killed in school crash ‘waiting for answers’ from police
- Heartbreaking footage shows Wimbledon crash victim Selena Lau, eight, playing the piano at an end-of-term tea party before Land Rover smashed into grounds of school killing her and another classmate.
Watch the video below
The overriding theme in all the reporting is that the parents are desperate for answers as to how this happened.
6 January 2024
A private service is held for Nuria at a local venue in Wimbledon, attended by her friends and family.
5 January 2024
Trevor Sterling spoke to Riz Lateef from Radio London, about the developments in the case.
3 January 2024
Sajjad and Smera are interviewed by Tom Edward’s from the BBC. In this, their second BBC London interview, Sajjad and Smera discussed how after 6 months they had still not had an update and that they wanted justice. The interview was aired on 5th December 2023.
Read the full BBC article – Mum shares photo taken moments before school crash
The main takeaways from the interview were:
- Six months on, what happened that day remains the subject of a police investigation. A 46-year-old woman from Wimbledon was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving in July and bailed until January.
- Those affected by the crash have been left traumatised and bewildered at what they see as a lack of progress.
- So far they have not had any answers to their questions. What led to the car losing control? Could anything have been done to prevent it? Who bears responsibility?
- Nuria’s father, Sajjad Butt, said there had not been much progress: “Ultimately, our position of essentially waiting for what we want and need, justice, is still very much the status quo.”
- Ms Chohan said she and her husband felt they had to speak to BBC London, as they think it might help them get answers. “We shouldn’t have to do this,” she said. “This should have been the priority from day one. For us to talk to you to help raise our voice is a question again – why? We all know what happened.”
- Trevor Sterling, the senior partner at Moore Barlow, said this “Six months is too long. We have got to make sure the families are front and centre of this. This has been the most horrendous time for them. They’re entitled to have a clear picture as to what happened to their children.”
31 December 2023
The Sunday Times publish the interview from the 15th December.
Our girl smiled for this photo. Seconds later a Land Rover hit the school.
16 November 2023
A witness came forward after the BBC interview, stating that he and his colleagues who were present at the time of the incident, had given their details to the police but received no follow-up. This is crucial because it underscores that the police did not reach out directly to key witnesses. The witnesses contacted Moore Barlow instead.
6 November 2023
An interview with BBC was set up four months after the incident, with Nuria’s parents to shed light on the event circumstances and events. The interview focused on the incident itself, survivor’s guilt, and the quest for justice, evoking tears from all, including Trevor, Amandeep, and Maham, who had visited Nuria’s parents’ home to provide support and guidance prior to the interview.
As a result of the interview the Met Police spokesperson commented that the investigation is ongoing and went on further to say:
We understand the families want and need answers as to what happened. We are continuing to give them specialist support through our dedicated family liaison officers who are providing updates on the investigation where they can.
Specialist detectives are working tirelessly to establish the circumstances of that day, including analysing CCTV and examining the expert report from forensic collision investigators.
We recognise that the time taken can cause further distress but it is only right and fair to all involved that we carry out a thorough and extensive investigation.
20 September 2023
It was reported by the Guardian that the woman who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving was taken to hospital after the event, where her condition was assessed as non-life threatening and had initially been bailed in September. However just three days after that report, on 23rd September the Met Police confirmed that although the defendant was initially bailed until September, they confirmed in an update to the Standard that she has been “re-bailed until January”.
1 September 2023
A friend of Nuria’s family contacted Moore Barlow after Trevor Sterling was recommended as a leading personal injury lawyer. The friend then suggested that Nuria’s parents get in touch directly.
An initial meeting was set up at the family home and attended by Trevor Sterling, Amandeep Khasriya and Maham Khalid. Nuria’s parents discussed the accident circumstances, including any physical injuries and psychological trauma from being at the scene.
From those initial instructions the number of clients grew to 20.
10 July 2023
It was reported by the Sun and the Wimbledon Guardian that a source had stepped forward and stated that,
“the driver was in a delirious condition and had bitten through her tongue. She had stopped outside the school but the car took off as if the driver had suddenly floored the accelerator. At this point the police believe she had some kind of seizure just before the accident.”
No comments were made by the police at this time, but the police had stated that they would ask the community to avoid speculating the possible cause whilst these enquiries are carried out.
- Major update in probe into Wimbledon school crash which killed girl, 8, and left two critically injured
- Driver had ‘seizure at wheel’ leading to crash at Study Prep School
Inquests into the deaths of Nuria and Selena were opened and adjourned at Inner West London Coroner’s Court on July 12th 2023. The MET Police reported to BBC London that it recognised the “time taken can cause further distress, but it is only right and fair to all involved that we carry out a thorough and extreme investigation.
6 July 2023
The London Ambulance Service was mobilised after there were calls of a collision at The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon. The London Ambulance service declared it a major incident with fifteen ambulances in attendance as well as thirty-five police vehicles.
Our experts on this case
Dr. Trevor D. Sterling (Hon.causa)
Senior Partner | Major Trauma, Personal Injury
