Driver Involved in Fatal Primary School Crash Faces Rearrest Following Investigation Review
Victims’ families expressed their concerns after the police announced in June that the driver who caused a fatal accident due to an epileptic seizure would not face criminal charges.
The driver of a 4×4 vehicle that crashed into a primary school, resulting in the deaths of two 8-year-old girls, has been re-arrested following criticism from grieving families regarding the police’s handling of the tragedy.
Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both aged 8, lost their lives in the incident at The Study Prep school in Wimbledon, southwest London, in July 2023 while commemorating the end of the summer term.
Initially, in June of the previous year, the Metropolitan Police stated that the driver had experienced an epileptic seizure and would not be charged criminally.
However, the families of the girls expressed doubts about the thoroughness of the investigation, leading to the reopening of the case by the police in October.
On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Police disclosed that the 48-year-old driver had been arrested and was currently in custody. She had been previously arrested for the same offense at the scene of the collision on July 6, 2023.
The driver, Claire Freemantle, who had never had an epileptic seizure before and was in good health prior to the accident, had been prosecuted last summer.
In a statement to the PA news agency, Freemantle expressed deep sorrow and stated that she had no recollection of the events that transpired after losing consciousness.
The Metropolitan Police announced that additional lines of inquiry required further investigation following concerns raised by the families of the girls.
Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, leading the new investigation, appealed to potential witnesses and individuals with information to come forward and assist in the case.
The families of the girls issued a statement in response to the news, emphasizing the importance of a thorough and unbiased investigation.
Solicitor Trevor Sterling, representing 20 families affected by the crash, described the case as a tragic one with a lasting impact on all those involved.
Individuals with information can reach out to the police by calling 0207 175 0793 or 101 with reference CAD 6528/27Jan, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.
