Wimbledon car crash today: Eight year-old girl killed and 15 injured as woman arrested

The Study Prep school has issued a statement over yesterday’s “tragic accident”, which claimed the life of an eight-year-old girl.

At least 10 people were taken to hospital after a Land Rover crashed into a school building on the last day of term.

“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,” said the school on its website.

“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 under way 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.”

A Land Rover has been removed from The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon where an eight-year-old girl died earlier on Thursday.

The car, covered in a green tarpaulin, was loaded on a police truck and driven away past broken and bent metal railings.

The police cordon outside the school has been reduced, allowing more access to Wimbledon Common.

Flowers have been placed near the school where a young girl died in a car collision in Wimbledon.

New Malden residents Sophia Graham, 27, and Tayla Landsberg, 22, who brought flowers to the police cordon 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.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I’m heartbroken at the news that an eight-year-old girl has so tragically died following the incident at a school in Wimbledon.

“My thoughts are with her loved ones, the school and wider community at this extremely difficult time, and on behalf of all Londoners I want to extend my deepest condolences to them.

“My heart goes out to everyone affected, including the other children and adults injured as a result of this incident, and I wish them all a full recovery.”

The prime minister’s official spokesman said Rishi Sunak thanked the emergency services for their swift response.

The spokesman said: “The prime minister’s deepest condolences are with the family of the girl who has tragically lost her life.

“His thoughts are with all those injured and involved in the horrific collision in Wimbledon this morning.

“This will have been a terrifying experience for all of the children, staff and parents.m

Mr Hammond said he was “very concerned” to hear about the “major incident”, adding: “My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone at The Study.”

He told the BBC: “Extraordinarily distressing and tragic incident on the last day of term … there has actually been a major incident declared. The air ambulance, the ambulance, the fire services, and the police are all in attendance.”

“The size of the response tells you how serious the incident is and there are a number of casualties, and I understand that a number of those are being treated as critical.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan described the incident as “devastating” and said: “My heart goes out to everyone affected.”

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said she was “saddened to hear about the tragic incident at the school in Wimbledon this morning”, adding in a tweet: “My thoughts are with everyone affected. I would like to thank emergency responders at the scene. It is important they are now able to carry out their investigation.”

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper tweeted: “Thinking of all the families, pupils and staff affected by the terrible incident at a primary school in Wimbledon this morning. Thank you to the emergency services on site for their swift response.”

Police are not treating the incident as terror-related.

Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, local police commander for southwest London, said: “This is tragic news and our thoughts are with the girl’s family and friends, and everyone affected today.

“We remain at the scene and are continuing our investigation into the full circumstances of the incident.”

A large police cordon is in place stretching onto Wimbledon Common where officers are moving dog walkers and passers-by away from the scene. An air ambulance was at the edge of the Common while a number of ambulances were parked nearby in the hours after the crash.

An eight-year-old girl has died but her identity has not yet been revealed. Some 15 people were injured in the incident and treated at the scene, while 10 were taken to hospital.

A number of those injured are being treated as critical, according to Stephen Hammond, the Conservative MP for Wimbledon.

The Metropolitan Police said it was called at 9.54am to reports a car had crashed into a building at the school.

London Fire Brigade attended the scene, along with 15 ambulances and an air ambulance.

It is understood the Land Rover was being driven by a woman who suffered a medical incident, reported the Evening Standard. Police said the driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene but would not confirm any more about the possible cause of the crash.

The gold Land Rover reportedly crashed through an “end-of-term tea party”, with reports to The Mirror claiming “the children were sat on the grass with their teachers” when the car ploughing into them.

The London Ambulance Service said 16 people were treated at the scene.