Second girl, 8, dies three days after car ploughed into school tea party
A second eight-year-old girl has today died after a Land Rover crashed into a primary school on Thursday.
Police confirmed tonight Nuria Sajjad lost her life as a result of injuries sustained in the horror at The Study Prep School in Wimbledon, southwest London. Children were having a tea party to mark the last day of term at the independent, fee-paying school.
Nuria's distraught family have released the following statement, via Metropolitan Police, in which they described the youngster as the "light of our lives".
"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Nuria on Sunday, 9 July 2023. Nuria was the light of our lives. She embodied joy, kindness and generosity and she was loved by all around her," the family said tonight.
The scene at The Study Prep School in Wimbledon after the impact (Peter Macdiarmid/LNP)"We would like to thank the efforts of the emergency services, all the extraordinary staff at St George’s Hospital, the parents of Nuria’s class fellows and staff of the Study Prep for all they have done to ease Nuria’s journey.
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"We request that our privacy is respected at this difficult time."
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has tonight tweeted: "My heart goes out to the family of 8-year-old Nuria Sajjad and everyone affected by this tragic incident."
Several other people, including more children, remain in hospital following the tragedy, to which emergency services were called at around 10am on Thursday. Reports suggested a car had crashed through a fence and collided with a building.
Tributes have been left to all those affected at a building near the school (Eliza Brandreth)A total of 35 police vehicles were deployed to the scene and officers worked with paramedics to give first aid to a number of people who had been injured.
The driver of the car, a 46-year-old woman, was arrested at the scene. Eight-year-old Selena Lau died as a result of her injuries, it emerged on Thursday.
In a statement released at the time, Selena’s family said: "Selena was an intelligent and cheeky girl adored and loved by everyone. The family wishes their privacy to be respected at this sad time."
Emergency services were deployed to the address on Thursday morning (PA)A number of other people, including a seven-month-old girl, were also taken to hospital with injuries later assessed as non-life threatening.
She was taken to hospital - her condition was assessed as non-life threatening. She has been bailed to a date in late July pending further enquiries.
Detectives from the Met's Serious Collision Investigation Unit are leading the investigation and their enquiries are ongoing.
Two girls have now died from injuries suffered in the tragic emergency (Getty Images)The Study Prep school, which caters for more than 300 pupils aged as young as four, spoke of its "profound shock" after the horror.
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In a statement on its website on Thursday, the school said: "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. It is still far too soon to fully understand what happened, but we are well aware of the significant impact this dreadful event will have on our pupils and their families.
"Their welfare remains our top priority and we will be doing everything we can to support them, especially those who suffered injuries.
"Now that a police investigation is underway we will not be making any further public statement for the time being and would ask that the privacy of our school community is respected at this deeply upsetting time."
Selena Lau was also killed when the Land Rover crashed into a building at the school (PA)
A man lays flowers by the school in the wake of the tragedy (Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)Speaking at the scene on Thursday night, Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond said: "Very concerned to hear about the Study Preparatory School at Camp Road this morning.
"A major incident has been declared and I know all emergency services are on site. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone at The Study."
Flowers were placed near the school, including some left by tearful parents who were pictured in poignant embraces on Thursday afternoon.
Floral tributes and messages of sympathy continue to be placed outside the school (Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock)Sophia Graham, 27, and Tayla Landsberg, 22, who live nearby, brought flowers to the police cordon. They said: "When we found out one of the kids had died it was awful.
"When the police made their announcement it was so sad to see even them get emotional. It's made a big impact on everyone.
"Kids walk in the Common freely without thinking about it."
Ms Landsberg said: "It's usually very peaceful, very bubbly with lots of fun activities going on."
In the wake of the tragedy, Sadiq Khan, said: "The incident this morning at a primary school on Camp Road in Wimbledon is absolutely devastating. My heart goes out to everyone affected.
"Police are on the scene and have confirmed the incident is not being treated as terror-related. An investigation is underway to understand the full circumstances and I continue to stay in close contact with the Met and other emergency services.
“Please avoid the area to allow emergency services free access to help all those who need it. If you have any information about the incident please call police on 101."
The driver of the car, from Wimbledon, was taken to hospital and her condition was assessed as non-life threatening.
Police said she has been bailed to a date in late July pending further inquiries.
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