Wimbledon school crash: Girl, 8, dies after car crashes into primary school
An eight-year-old girl has died after a Land Rover crashed into a primary school in southwest London on the last day of term.
A total of 16 people were treated at the scene and 10 were taken to hospital, chief paramedic John Martin from the London Ambulance Service said at the scene in an update this afternoon.
Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond said: “What a sad incident – it is tragically on the last day of term, for this young girl to have lost her life.”
The Study Preparatory School said it was “profoundly shocked by the tragic accident” and “devastated that it has claimed the life of one of our young pupils as well as injuring several others”.
Up to 20 ambulances, an air ambulance and firefighters were sent to The Study Preparatory School on Camp Road in Wimbledon.
A woman aged in her 40s has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in custody.
The driver stopped at the scene after the crash, police said.
Wimbledon school crash – latest
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
School crash: Emergency services update
Officers said the emergency services were called at 9.54am and at least seven children were among those injured.
Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, of the Metropolitan Police, teared up and her voice broke during a news conference as she described the crash.
“Very sadly one of the children, an eight-year-old girl, died at the scene,” she said.
“Our thoughts are with her family at this incredibly difficult time.”
‘Absolutely shell shocked’
The Sky News team on the scene understand from officers in the area that the crash was caused by an out-of-control vehicle.
A child was also seen earlier being carried away by her parents, with a cut to her leg.
She was not seriously hurt but was described as being “absolutely shell-shocked”.
Sky News understands a prize-giving event may have been taking place at the time, with images showing a table apparently covered with a picnic blanket laid out in the schoolyard.
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed the incident is not terror-related, adding that “an investigation is under way to understand the full circumstances of what has taken place”.
The independent school is for girls aged four to 11 and sits on Wimbledon Common, just a mile away from the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club as it hosts the world-famous tennis tournament.
It is understood that the car hit the area of the school which housed the younger girls, aged between four and eight.
Police , firefighters and paramedics, including London’s Air Ambulance, responded to the incident at around 9.54am on Thursday.
In a statement, the school said: “We are profoundly shocked by the tragic accident this morning at Wilberforce House and devastated that it has claimed the life of one of our young pupils as well as injuring several others.
“Our thoughts are with the bereaved family and with the families of those injured at this terrible time.
“It is still far too soon to fully understand what happened, but we are well aware of the significant impact this dreadful event will have on our pupils and their families.
“Their welfare remains our top priority and we will be doing everything we can to support them, especially those who suffered injuries.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond: ‘Tragic end of term for the girls’
“Now that a police investigation is underway we will not be making any further public statement for the time being and would ask that the privacy of our school community is respected at this deeply upsetting time.”
Local MP, Mr Hammond, described it as a “tragic end to the term” for the girls and said he was “led to believe some of the injures were serious and critical”.
He added that his “thoughts and prayers go out to everyone at The Study”.
Both Home Secretary Suella Braverman and London Mayor Sadiq Khan also said their thoughts were with those affected.
The local MP said the collision occurred at The Study Preparatory School on Camp Road.
Merton Police tweeted that “a car collided with a building at the school” in the first sign of the news this morning, adding: “Several people are being treated at the scene.”
‘Incredibly tragic situation’
Emergency services were alerted to the incident just before 10am on Thursday.
Sky News’ Jacquie Beltrao, who is at the scene, said: “This is a very small road just off Wimbledon Common. It’s really narrow and very quiet. I can see about eight ambulances.
“A police officer said that he believes the incident was caused by an-out-of control car.
“The roads all around the common have been closed off and there are lots of what look like parents standing around me.
“It is difficult to know exactly what has happened, but we do know there are casualties and they are being taken to hospital.”
Police said the driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene.
Former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent Dal Babu told Sky News: “It is an incredibly tragic situation.
“In terms of policing, at this stage the traffic police will be there looking at things like skid marks, they’ll be checking the vehicle to see if there are any faults with the vehicle.
“They’ll be able to work out how fast the car was travelling and be checking CCTV and any door cameras from local residences.”
Assisted dying could become legal in England and Wales after the bill was backed by MPs in a historic vote.
Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill received 330 yes votes compared to 275 noes at its second reading in the House of Commons – a majority of 55.
Politics Live: MPs voting on historic assisted dying legislation
The bill would allow adults who are terminally ill with just six months left to live to request medical assistance to end their lives.
Today’s result means the legislation will now progress to the committee stage for scrutiny, with the Lords also to be given opportunities to express their views on the measure before it potentially becomes law.
MPs were given a free vote – meaning they could side with their conscience and not along party lines, with the government staying neutral on the matter.
The division list showed Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer backed the proposal, as did Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
But other cabinet members like Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood voted against the bill, having previously warned about vulnerable people being coerced and of a “slippery slope of death on demand”.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
MPs debate assisted dying
The vote came after a five-hour debate in the chamber, which drew emotional arguments on both sides.
Conservative former minister Andrew Mitchell revealed he changed his mind on assisted dying after finding himself with “tears pouring down my face” on hearing the stories of constituents whose loved ones had died “in great pain and great indignity”.
On the other side of the argument, veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott said assisted dying could result in sick people “feeling like a burden” on society, adding: ” I can imagine myself saying that in particular circumstances.”
She warned: “If this bill passes, we will have the NHS as a fully-funded 100% suicide service but palliative care will only be funded at 30% at best.”
Bill about ‘choice and dignity’
Opening the debate on the topic, Labour backbencher Ms Leadbeater said the bill was about giving dying people “choice, autonomy, and dignity” – saying the current law was “failing” them.
Kim Leadbeater: PA
Read More:
Two people reveal contrasting views on assisted dying
Five stories that bring the assisted dying debate home
She has insisted her bill contains “the most robust safeguards” of any assisted dying legislation in the word.
This includes two independent doctors having to approve the decision, followed by a high-court judge, with the person having to administer the drugs themselves.
The legislation also includes a maximum 14-year prison sentence for anyone who coerces someone into requesting assisted dying or taking the medicine.
Speaking to Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby after the vote, an emotional Ms Leadbeater said she was “incredibly proud” of the result and parliament must now “take on board everything that’s been discussed in the chamber”, including the state of palliative care and the rights of disabled people.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
UK
Heidi Alexander named new transport secretary after Louise Haigh’s resignation over mobile phone guilty plea
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports8 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway