Wimbledon car crash: Everything we know so far as girl killed and 15 injured
A Land Rover crashed into a Wimbledon primary school, killing one person and injuring more than a dozen others on the last day of the school year. Some of them are apparently fighting for their lives.
According to the police, an eight-year-old girl died and 15 people were injured in the accident at Wilberforce House, the Study Preparatory School on Camp Road. Earlier, officials said at least seven children and two adults were injured.
Pictures from the scene of the crime show a high level of readiness by the emergency services, including the police, ambulance and fire brigade, who responded to the “serious incident”.
Police confirmed that an investigation into the incident was underway, adding that the incident was not classified as a terrorist act
(PA)
The driver of the vehicle, a woman in her 40s, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of dangerous driving.
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What happened?
The Metropolitan Police said they were called at 9.54am to report that a car had crashed into a building near the school.
The London Fire Brigade was on site along with 15 ambulances and a rescue plane.
The Land Rover is believed to have been driven by a woman who had suffered a medical incident, the reported evening standard. Police said the driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene of the accident but declined to provide further details on the possible cause of the accident.
The gold Land Rover reportedly crashed at a “graduation tea party”. The mirror They claimed “the children were sitting on the grass with their teachers” when the car crashed into them.
According to the London Ambulance Service, 16 people were treated at the scene.
Who are the victims?
An eight-year-old girl has died, but her identity has not yet been released. About 15 people were injured in the incident and received treatment at the scene, and ten others were taken to hospital.
According to Conservative MP for Wimbledon Stephen Hammond, some of the injured are being treated as critical.
Where is the school?
Wilberforce House, the Study Preparatory School, is on Camp Road in Wimbledon, South London.
The school, which costs £5,565 per term, caters to girls aged four to eleven and is on Wimbledon Common. It is just one mile from the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, home of the world famous tennis tournament.
Wimbledon’s Julie Atwood said: “My daughter used to go to this school. It’s a girls school. Wimbledon is like a small village. For this to happen at Wimbledon is unprecedented. It’s terrible.”
What did the police say?
The police do not consider the incident to be terrorist.
Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, Local Police Commander for South West London, said: “This is tragic news and our thoughts today are with the girl’s family and friends and all those affected.”
“We remain at the scene and continue our investigation into the full circumstances of the incident.”
A large police cordon extends to Wimbledon Common, where officers herd dog handlers and bystanders away from the scene. A rescue plane was on the edge of the Common while several ambulances were parked nearby in the hours after the crash.
Crime scene images show a large emergency services presence as staff responded to the “serious incident” at Wilberforce House, the Study Preparatory School on Camp Road, on Thursday morning
(BBC)
What did local politicians say?
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Rishi Sunak thanked the emergency services for their quick response.
The spokesman said: “The Prime Minister’s deepest condolences go out to the family of the girl who tragically lost her life.”
“His thoughts are with everyone injured and involved in the horrific collision at Wimbledon this morning.
“This will have been a terrifying experience for all the children, staff and parents.”
Mr Hammond said he was “very concerned” to hear of the “serious incident”, adding: “My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone at The Study.”
Scenes at Wimbledon, south London, where a car has collided with a primary school building
(Victoria Jones/PA Wire)
He told the BBC: “An extraordinarily disturbing and tragic incident on the last day of the semester… a serious incident has indeed been reported.”
“The scale of the response reflects the seriousness of the incident and the number of casualties and I understand some of these are classified as critical.”
Police say a Land Rover crashed into a Wimbledon primary school, injuring seven children and two adults
(PA)
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, described the incident as “devastating” and said: “My condolences go out to all those affected.”
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said she was “sad to hear of the tragic incident at the Wimbledon school this morning,” adding in a tweet, “My thoughts are with everyone affected.” I would like to thank the emergency services at the scene. It is important that they are now able to carry out their investigations.”
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper tweeted: “Thinking of all the families, students and staff affected by the horrific incident at a Wimbledon primary school this morning. Thank you to the emergency services at the scene for the quick response.”
Stephen Hammond, the Conservative MP for Wimbledon, said he understood that “a number of people are being treated as critical” over a “serious incident” that took place on the last day of office
(Sky News)
Wilberforce House and the Study Preparatory School declined to comment The Independent.
