- Tragic Collision: Eight-Year-Old Girl Killed in Land Rover Crash at London School
- Multiple Injuries: 10 People Hospitalized in Serious School Collision
- Investigation Underway: Woman Arrested on Suspicion of Causing Death by Reckless Driving
Two fire trucks and an air ambulance rushed to the “serious collision,” according to police.
A Land Rover hit a southwest London primary school on the last day of school, killing an eight-year-old girl.
The London Ambulance Service’s chief paramedic, John Martin, reported at the scene this afternoon that 16 persons were treated at the scene and 10 were transported to the hospital.
Stephen Hammond, an elected official from Wimbledon, remarked, “What a tragic incident – on the last day of school, a young girl has tragically lost her life.”
The Study Preparatory School stated that it was “deeply shocked by the tragic accident” and “devastated that it resulted in the death of one of our young students and the injury of several others.”
The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon received twenty ambulances, an air ambulance, and firefighters.
A woman in her forties has been apprehended on suspicion of causing death by reckless driving and is currently detained.
According to police, the driver stopped at the site of the collision.
At least seven minors were among the injured, according to emergency services personnel.
At a press conference, Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland broke down.
“Very sadly, one of the children, an eight-year-old girl, died at the scene,” she stated.
We are thinking of her family during this incredibly difficult period.
“Completely shell-shocked”
A child with a leg wound was also seen being borne away by her parents earlier.
She was described as being “absolutely shell-shocked” despite not being gravely injured.
A picnic blanket-draped table in the schoolyard may have been a prize-giving function.
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that the incident is unrelated to terrorism and that “an investigation is underway to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”
The private school for girls aged four to eleven is located on Wimbledon Common, less than a mile from the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, which conducts a world-renowned tennis tournament.
It is believed that the vehicle struck the section of the school housing the four- to eight-year-old females.
In a statement, the school said, “We are profoundly horrified by the tragic accident that occurred this morning at Wilberforce House and devastated that one of our young students was killed and several others were injured.
“During this terrible period, our thoughts are with the bereaved family and the families of those injured.
“It is still far too early to completely comprehend what transpired. But we are well aware that this tragic event will have a significant impact on our students and their families”.
Our top goal is their well-being, especially injured ones.
“Now that a police investigation is underway, we will not be making any further public statements for the time being, and we ask that our school’s community’s privacy be respected during this deeply troubling time.”
Mr. Hammond, a local representative, characterized it as a “tragic end to the term” for the girls and stated that he was “led to believe that some of the injuries were severe and life-threatening.”
His “thoughts and prayers are with everyone at The Study,” he added.
Both the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, expressed their sympathies for those affected.
Earlier this morning, Merton Police tweeted that “a car collided with a building at the school” and that “several people are being treated at the scene.”
“Extremely tragic circumstance”
Just before 10 a.m. on Thursday, emergency services were notified of the incident.
“According to a police officer, the incident was caused by an automobile that was out of control.
“All roads surrounding the common have been closed, and I am surrounded by what appear to be numerous parents.”
It is difficult to determine precisely what has occurred. But we do know that there have been casualties and that they are being transported to the hospital.
The driver of the vehicle, according to the police, stopped at the site.
Dal Babu, a former chief superintendent of the Metropolitan Police, told, “This is a truly tragic situation.”
Traffic cops will examine skid markings and the vehicle for defects at this point.
“They will be able to determine the speed of the vehicle by examining CCTV footage and door cameras from nearby homes.”