Police Reopen Investigation Into Fatal Wimbledon School Crash
Police have reopened the investigation into a devastating crash that killed two eight-year-old girls at a school in Wimbledon, southwest London. The incident occurred in July 2023, when a Land Rover Defender plowed through a fence at The Study Prep school during an end-of-year tea party, tragically claiming the lives of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau.
Initially, no charges were brought against the driver, as it was believed she had suffered an epileptic seizure at the wheel for the first time. However, Scotland Yard has now reopened the case after a review revealed significant shortcomings in the original investigation. These included the handling of medical evidence that led to the decision not to press charges.
Nuria’s father, Saj Butt, expressed relief over the decision to reinvestigate the case, stating: “No parent should ever have to go through the pain my wife, Smera, and I have experienced over the past 15 months. The initial investigation seemed flawed and left so many unanswered questions.” He added, “Now, as we put our lives on hold again, we can only welcome the news that a new investigation has been launched with a new, specialist, and more experienced team.”
In addition to the two children who lost their lives, nine children and three adults were seriously injured in the crash. Detectives are now appealing for any members of the public who may have witnessed the tragedy to come forward with information.
One of the key issues under scrutiny is the driver’s epilepsy diagnosis. According to Mail Online, the condition can be difficult to detect without thorough brain scans, raising questions about the initial conclusions drawn by the investigation. The Metropolitan Police have pledged to “address all questions raised by the families affected” as they pursue a more comprehensive review of the evidence.
Selena Lau’s mother, Jessie Deng, also welcomed the new investigation, saying, “This new investigation is welcome and I sincerely hope that this ongoing nightmare for all of the families and Selena’s schoolmates can come to an end soon.”
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that a senior investigating officer and a team experienced in homicide cases will lead the new inquiry. “We believe this further investigative work will address all questions raised by the families affected,” they stated.
As the families await answers, the renewed investigation offers hope that their concerns will finally be addressed, bringing some closure to a tragedy that continues to haunt the community.