The driver involved in the tragic Wimbledon school crash that killed two young girls faces no criminal charges due to an undiagnosed epileptic seizure, says the Crown Prosecution Service.
Bollywood Fever: The driver of a Land Rover that crashed into The Study Prep school in Wimbledon, south-west London, in July last year, resulting in the deaths of two eight-year-old girls, will face no criminal charges, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has announced. The driver experienced an epileptic seizure at the wheel.
Nuria Sajjad and fellow pupil Selena Lau tragically lost their lives on July 6 last year when the vehicle ploughed through a fence and collided with a building at the school. Several others were injured in the incident.
Trevor Sterling, the lawyer representing the families, expressed disappointment over the decision: “This is disappointing; justice must not only be done but seen to be done. In the absence of a process, how do we interrogate the evidence? What message does this send to the public that deaths can arise in a road traffic situation, and there could be no sanction because there is no process to interrogate the evidence? The next focus will be on the inquest, and there will be a deep and thorough review of the evidence, which will be examined by a jury if necessary.”
The driver, Claire Freemantle, conveyed her “deepest sorrow” and explained that she had no memory of the event after losing consciousness due to an epileptic seizure.
“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,” Freemantle said in a statement. “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. 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.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, responsible for the Metropolitan Police’s policing in south-west London, described the incident as “deeply tragic” and acknowledged the ongoing grief of the families involved.
“This was a deeply tragic incident, the circumstances of which caused widespread shock and sadness,” Kelland stated. “The families of Nuria and Selena – who we know are greatly loved and missed – are always in our thoughts, but particularly so in light of this development. Throughout the course of this investigation they have been supported by dedicated family liaison officers. Those officers were present earlier today when the outcome was relayed to the families by the CPS, and they will continue to support them in any way they can going forward. I previously met with both families and have offered to meet them again should they have unanswered questions about the investigation following this outcome.”
Kelland noted that a detailed investigation revealed the driver suffered a previously undiagnosed seizure, making the incident unpredictable and unpreventable based on her medical records. Consequently, the CPS confirmed that no charges would be brought against Freemantle.
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