No charges will be brought against driver responsible for death of girls at school tea party tragedy

Police investigating a fatal collision which killed two eight-year-old schoolgirls at The Study Prep School in Wimbledon last July have been advised by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that the driver involved will face no further action.

Nuria Sajjad and Selina Laud died after a Land Rover smashed through a fence and collided with a building at the school in Camp Road.

The school was hosting an end-of-term tea party at the time of the crash, which happened on the morning of July 6.

More than a dozen people were also injured but all have since been discharged from hospital.

Claire Freemantle, 46, woman from Wimbledon, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was later released on bail.

She suffered a seizure at the wheel and was deemed not responsible for the accident.

“The devastating consequences for all those affected have not left my thoughts and will be with me for the rest of my life,” Ms Freemantle said.

“I have since been diagnosed as having suffered an epileptic seizure with loss of consciousness. This was not a pre-existing condition. As a result of losing consciousness, I have no recollection of what took place.

“I can only express my deepest sorrow for thw families who have suffered such dreadful loss and injury. As a mother, I understand there can be no words that adequately express the pain and loss resulting from what happened.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, in charge of policing for South-west London, gave a lengthy reaction to the CPS decision. He said: “This was a deeply tragic incident, the circumstances of which caused widespread shock and sadness.

“The families of Nuria and Selena – who we know are greatly loved and missed – are always in our thoughts, but particularly so in light of this development.

“Throughout the course of this investigation they have been supported by dedicated family liaison officers. Those officers were present earlier today when the outcome was relayed to the families by the CPS, and they will continue to support them in any way they can going forward.

“I previously met with both families and have offered to meet them again should they have unanswered questions about the investigation following this outcome.

“Following a lengthy, detailed and complex investigation, a file of evidential material was passed to the CPS for them to consider whether charges were appropriate. Having carefully examined all of the information received, they have now confirmed the driver will not face charges.”

Chief Supt Kelland continued: “Significant enquiries carried out by specialist officers into the events leading up to the collision established that the driver suffered a previously undiagnosed seizure which caused her to lose control of the vehicle.

“Having carried out a detailed examination of her medical records we know that she couldn’t have predicted or prevented the incident.

“The consequences of this were, as we know, absolutely devastating, and the hurt and pain that followed will always be deeply felt.

“To bring charges in cases like this there needs to be an element of responsibility on the part of the driver, and, given the circumstances, this was simply not borne out on this occasion. What happened that day was a very tragic accident which has had a profound impact on the lives of a number of people.”

Chief Sup Kelland added: “While our priority has been to support the affected families – including the further six families of those who received injuries – we have also remained in close contact with both the school and local council representatives throughout, updating them on the timeline of the investigation while maintaining the integrity of our enquiries.

“In the days and weeks ahead we will identify opportunities to speak directly to the local community who we know were also deeply affected by the incident.”

Following the advice from the CPS, the driver has been informed that no further action will be taken against her. The investigation is now complete and a file will be passed to the Coroner ahead of inquest proceedings.

Pictured: The scene outside the school after the crash (Picture: James Twomey)