Police release woman on bail after fatal accident at Wimbledon school | England

Arrested 46-year-old woman suspected of causing death by reckless driving after a Land Rover crashed through a school fence and killed an eight-year-old girl at Wimbledon has been released on bail , the Metropolitan Police said.

Another eight-year-old girl remained in life-threatening condition and a woman in her 40s was in critical condition in hospital on Friday, police said the day after the crash at the study prep school.

A seven-month-old girl was among a number of others still in hospital whose condition had been assessed as not life-threatening.

The Met said in a statement: “We understand that the school-aged children were students of the school. The injured adults were the parents/guardians of the children; not members of staff.

Tributes to the deceased eight-year-old girl were paid as mourners left floral tributes and paid their respects at the scene of the accident on Friday.

In notes left with the flowers outside the school, people expressed their sadness, conveyed their condolences and vowed to come together as a community.

A woman left flowers and a note saying, “You will always be our shining star. We will miss you so much. Others wrote: “The Wimbledon community beats and beats as one. Let us help you. We pray that the many happy memories formed at this wonderful school and in your family life may embrace you and, in time, bring some comfort.

Some thanked the school staff. One said, “Dear all staff working here, I hope you are all doing well. I am really sorry. Thanks for all you do to help. Another said: “Keeping all children, parents, teachers and the local community in our warmest prayers.”

Others said those affected had the ‘thoughts and prayers’ and ‘sincere condolences’ of the bereaved. “So sorry for this tragic loss to school and family. Forever in our thoughts,” a note read.

Ian Hewitt, chairman of the All England Lawn Tennis club, also visited the scene. The Wimbledon Championships are about a 15 minute walk from the school and Hewitt told reporters: “We feel very much a part of the community. What a tragic incident, we just offer our deepest condolences to everyone affected.

He left flowers and a note that read: “On behalf of everyone at Wimbledon, we want to send our heartfelt condolences to everyone affected by the tragic events at Wimbledon Study Preparatory School. Our thoughts are with you. all at this deeply agonizing moment.”

On Friday afternoon, a black cab driver pulled up outside the school, stood quietly facing the stage for a few moments, said a few words to himself, then got back in his cab and drove off.

Faiza Samad, whose 12-year-old daughter Rania graduated from primary school last year, told reporters it was an end-of-term tradition to have a picnic. “When it happened yesterday, all the moms were texting. My friend, her daughter was in second grade. [She] was at the back of the building. We were all freaked out and texting each other.

“I was sad when I heard it because she was an eight-year-old girl and it was her last day.”

Police are continuing to question a woman in her 40s after a Land Rover Defender crashed into The Study Prep school in Wimbledon just before 10am on Thursday. The woman was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Officers are not treating the incident as terrorism-related.