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The families of two girls killed when a car crashed into their prep school welcomed a step ‘in pursuit of the truth’ today after the driver was re-arrested.
Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both eight, died when a Land Rover Defender veered off the road smashing through a fence into the Study Prep School in Wimbledon as children and staff were at an end-of-year tea party in July 2023.
This morning the driver, Claire Freemantle was re-arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and is now due to be quizzed in custody about the circumstances of the crash.
The 48-year-old was arrested in the aftermath of the crash on July 6, 2023 but prosecutors later decided not to bring any criminal charges after Ms Freemantle claimed that she had suffered an epileptic seizure at the wheel for the first time.
Last year the Mail revealed the force had decided to reopen the case after a serious case review revealed significant shortfalls in the way officers conducted the initial investigation, including consideration of medical evidence which led to the case being dropped.
Today the families of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau released a statement saying: ‘We welcomed the reopening of the investigation in October 2024 by the Metropolitan Police into the death of our beautiful girls and the harm caused to those injured and who witnessed the tragedy on that sunny July day.
‘It is important that this investigation runs its course unhindered and that each step taken is done so in the pursuit of truth and the full facts.
‘As the investigation continues, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.’
Selena Lau, eight, was one of two little girls killed in the crash at Wimbledon Prep School in July 2023
Nuria Sajjad, eight, also died from her injuries after the car crashed through a fence at the school
The vehicle careered across the school lawn and crashed into one of the buildings
Freemantle remains in custody after being was re-arrested earlier this morning.
An initial investigation by the Met Police’s Roads and Transport Policing Command resulted in a direction from the Crown Prosecution Service in June 2024 that she should face no further action.
It found she had suffered an epileptic seizure behind the wheel, that she had never had a seizure before and that she was in good health before the crash.
But following concerns raised by Selena’s and Nuria’s families, a review found ‘lines of enquiry which required further examination’.
The families had said they remained ‘unconvinced’ the investigation had been conducted thoroughly after it was announced in June that the driver would not face criminal charges.
Police are now launching a fresh appeal for any witnesses to get in touch.
Detective Superintendent 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?
Specialist officers are pictured at the scene of the incident, which took place during an end of year party
Selena Lau playing piano at a school concert shortly before tragedy struck last July
Nuria’s mother Smera Chohan was also injured in the horrific crash that took place just after this photo of them was taken
‘We believe there were people in the local area who have not been spoken to by police and remain unidentified. I would ask those individuals to please contact us.
‘Our main priority is to ensure the lines of enquiry identified by the review are progressed. This is a live investigation and in order to maintain its integrity I can’t go into further detail at this stage. I would urge people to avoid speculation.’
When the case was reopened, Selena Lau’s heartbroken mother, Jessie Deng, said: ‘All we have ever wanted is a thorough and open investigation for Selena, Nuria and the other families whose lives were turned upside down one summer afternoon, whatever the outcome might be.
‘This new investigation is welcome and I sincerely hope that this ongoing nightmare for all of the families and Selena’s schoolmates can come to an end soon.’
Speaking after the CPS’s initial decision, Ms Freemantle released a statement saying she had no memory of the incident, having lost consciousness.
She said: ‘Since I became aware of the terrible event that took place on July 6, the devastating consequences for all those affected have not left my thoughts and will be with me for the rest of my life,’ she 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.
Remnants of the celebration including tables with cloths could be seen in the aftermath of the horror crash
The incident triggered a massive emergency response and left 15 other people injured
The Land Rover was taken away by police after the incident with the help of specialist equipment
‘I can only express my deepest sorrow for the 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 in those horrendous moments while I was unconscious.
‘My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of the children and families affected, and especially to the parents of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau.’
After the initial decision that no further action would be taken was announced, the parents of Selena and Nuria released a joint statement.
They said: ‘All the victims of the events of July 6 2023 did nothing wrong.
‘We were all in the safest place we could have been outside our own homes. We were celebrating a day filled with joy.
‘Nuria and Selena’s lives were taken in a moment. So many lives were also irreparably shattered in that moment.
‘Hundreds of people – parents, teachers, children, neighbours, friends and family members – will never lead ‘normal’ lives again. Some of us will never experience joy again.’
The Met is asking anyone with information to contact the major incident room on 0207 175 0793, call 101 quoting CAD 6528/27Jan.
To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
