Wimbledon school crash: Second eight-year-old girl in life threatening condition

A second eight-year-old girl and woman in her 40s are in a critical condition in hospital after a car crashed into a primary school building in Wimbledon, south-west London.

Paramedics treated 16 people for injuries after the gold-coloured Land Rover crashed into The Study Preparatory School in Camp Road at 9.54am on Thursday morning.

Sadly, despite the efforts of the emergency services, an eight-year-old girl died at the scene.

Floral tributes and toys have been laid outside the all girls prep school, where the tragic incident occurred.

It is believed that the students were celebrating the last day of term with a tea party when the Land Rover crashed into the school.

A number of other people – including a seven-month-old girl - were also taken to hospital and their conditions have been assessed as not life-threatening.

In a statement, the Met said no school staff were injured and the adults hurt were parents or carers.

The driver of the car, a 46-year-old woman from Wimbledon, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

She was taken to hospital - her condition was assessed as not life-threatening. She has been bailed pending further enquiries to a date in late July.

Detectives from the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are leading the investigation and their enquiries are ongoing. They are expected to remain at the scene throughout the day.

The investigation remains in its early stages and officers are keeping an open mind whilst following up all lines of enquiry.

Det Ch Sup Clair Kelland, local policing commander for south-west London, said: "It is difficult to imagine the pain and upset the families of those involved are going through and we will do all we can to support them as our investigation continues.

"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.

"This was the largest local policing deployment in south-west London since 2017 and our officers, along with members of the other emergency services, were met with a challenging and traumatic scene.

"I would like to praie them for doing all they could to help those injured. I have no doubt this incident would have also had a significant impact on them, and we will ensure their welfare is looked after.

"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."

The school’s website has been replaced by a holding page with a statement reading: "We are profoundly shocked by the tragic accident this morning at Wilberforce House and devastated that it has claimed the life of one of our young pupils as well as injuring several others.

"Our thoughts are with the bereaved family and with the families of those injured at this terrible time."

Officers have collected CCTV from nearby buildings and spoken with a number of witnesses. The car was removed from the scene last night and has been taken away for further examination.

Any witnesses, who have not yet spoken to police, are asked to call 101 quoting CAD 2200/06Jul.