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Wimbledon school car crash: Killed girl, 8, named as family say she was ‘adored by all’

BySpotted UK

Jul 8, 2023
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Police officer fights back tears as she announces death of eight-year-old at Wimbledon school

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The eight-year-old girl killed when a Land Rover ploughed through an end-of-term tea party at a Wimbledon primary school has been named as Selena Lau.

Selena’s family described her as “an intelligent and cheeky girl adored and loved by everyone”, in a statement issued through police on Friday.

It comes as another eight-year-old girl and a woman in her 40s are fighting for their lives in hospital after the smash at The Study Preparatory school on Thursday.

Fifteen others – including a seven-month-old baby – were rushed to hospital after the incident which saw dozens of emergency responders scrambled to the scene and a major incident declared.

The driver, a 46-year-old woman, who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving has been released on bail.

Locals have been leaving handwritten notes, flowers and toys outside the gates of the school, as the community banded together to pay tribute to the “shining star".

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Have you been affected by this incident? If so email tara.cobham@independent.co.uk.

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1688758547

Girl, 8, named as family say she was ‘adored by all’

The eight-year-old girl killed when a Land Rover crashed through a school fence in Wimbledon on Thursday has been named by the Metropolitan Police as Selena Lau.

Ms Lau’s family described her as “an intelligent and cheeky girl adored and loved by everyone”.

Martha Mchardy7 July 2023 20:351688767215

Wimbledon primary school ‘profoundly shocked’ after pupil, 8, killed in crash

The Study Preparatory School said in a statement that it was “profoundly shocked” by what happened after a Land Rover has crashed into the school, killing an eight-year-old girl.

A statement on its website added: “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.”

Martha Mchardy7 July 2023 23:001688763615

Eight-year-old Selena Lau a ‘shining star’, says tribute

Dozens of floral tributes have since been placed at the school gates and pupils gathered to pay their respects to their classmate.

A woman wearing a blue sling around her arm visited the scene and left flowers in a box and a card.

She paused to look at the flowers and was consoled by a man she was with.

Eight-year-old Selena Lau

(PA)

She left a note, which read: “Dear Selena, you will always be our shining star. We will miss you so much.”

The note included a picture of a star and had kisses on it.

Another tribute left at the scene said: “To the Study and parents. So sorry for this tragic loss to the school and the family. Forever in our thoughts.

Martha Mchardy7 July 2023 22:001688760015

Watch: Air ambulance takes off at Wimbledon primary school crash

Air ambulance takes off at Wimbledon primary school crashMartha Mchardy7 July 2023 21:001688756415

Eight-year-old girl and woman in her 40s critical after school car crash

An eight-year-old girl and a woman in her 40s are in a critical condition in hospital after a car, whose driver has been bailed, crashed into an end-of-term tea party at a prep school on Thursday.

A second eight-year old girl, who has not been named, died of her injuries following the collision at the Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon, south-west London.

Several other people – including a seven-month-old girl – were also taken to hospital and their conditions have been assessed as not life-threatening, the Metropolitan Police said.

Read the full story:

Eight-year-old girl and woman in her 40s critical after school car crash

Officers questioned a woman in her 40s, who has been bailed over the incident in Wimbledon which left an eight-year-old dead.

Martha Mchardy7 July 2023 20:001688752815

Baby injured in fatal Wimbledon school crash as two victims fight for life

A seven-month-old baby was among those injured in a horrific Wimbledon crash that saw a young girl killed after a Land Rover collided with a primary school.

Two other victims remain in critical condition in hospital, including an eight-year-old girl whose condition is life-threatening.

Witnesses at the scene were said to have heard “piercing screams” as the vehicle ploughed through a playground where a group of children had been enjoying an end-of-term party at The Study Preparatory School on Thursday.

Holly Evans reports:

Baby injured in fatal Wimbledon school crash as two victims fight for life

Sven-month-old infant was taken to hospital in the aftermath of the collision at The Study Preparatory School

Martha Mchardy7 July 2023 19:001688749215

Watch: Flowers left outside Wimbledon primary school where car crash killed young girl

Flowers left outside Wimbledon primary school where car crash killed young girlMartha Mchardy7 July 2023 18:001688746375

Woman ‘fighting for her life’ not a school staff member

The police on Friday confirmed a woman in her 40s is currently in “life-threatening condition” after a Land Rover crashed into the building of an all-girls prep school in Wimbledon.

According to the Met’s latest statement, all of the injured adults were parents/carers of the children, and not staff members.

An eight-year-old girl is also fighting for her life, after tragedy struck The Study Preparatory school during an end-of-term tea party on Thursday morning.

The Met Police said a total of 35 vehicles were deployed to the scene of the crash, where emergency services treated 16 people. London Ambulance Service chief paramedic Dr John Martin said 12 of them were taken to hospital.

Maanya Sachdeva7 July 2023 17:121688744098

‘Crying baby’ at scene of horror Wimbledon school crash that killed girl, 8

The Met Police has said a seven-month-old girl is among those being treated for “non-threatening” injuries after a car crashed into an all-girls school in Wimbledon yesterday.

Witnesses had previously described seeing a “crying baby” in an ambulance in the aftermath of the fatal collision at The Study Preparatory school, that left an eight-year-old girl dead.

My colleague Holly Evans reports:

‘Crying baby in ambulance’ at scene of horror school crash that killed girl

Witnesses claimed to have seen a baby in the back of an ambulance in the aftermath of the collision at The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon

Maanya Sachdeva7 July 2023 16:341688740146

Neighbouring golf club pays tribute to crash victim with one-minute silence

Members of the Wimbledon Common Golf Club, situated opposite The Study Preparatory School, held a minute’s silence outside the gates of the school on Friday afternoon.

The group, most of whom were wearing the club’s red tops, briefly stood on the road to pay their respects and laid flowers for those caught up in the incident on Thursday.

Speaking afterwards, Peter Thompson, chairman of the golf club, said: “We’re close neighbours, we’ve got close links with The Study.

“When they were doing their refurbishments they used one of our offices. It’s shocked the whole membership.

“It’s just so sad to lose someone so young.”

Mr Thompson said the course and clubhouse had been closed today out of respect.

Maanya Sachdeva7 July 2023 15:29

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