Heartwrenching moment police chief chokes back tears as she reveals girl, 8, was killed when car smashed into school | The Sun
THIS is the heartwrenching moment a police chief choked back tears – as she revealed that an eight-year-old girl was killed when a car smashed into a school.
Twelve other people are in hospital after the Land Rover crashed into The Study Preparatory School in South Wimbledon just before 10am this morning.
A woman in her 40s has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland choked back tears as she revealed the tragic news.
She said: "We were called shortly before 10 o'clock this morning after a car collided with a building at The Study Preparatory School, behind me in Camp Road.
"A large number of our officers were deployed to the scene, along with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance.
"Our officers, along with our colleagues from the other emergency services, provided first aid to a number of people who had been injured.
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"Very sadly, one of the children, an eight-year-old girl, died at the scene.
"Our thoughts are with her family at this incredibly difficult time.
Ms Kelland added: "The driver of the car, a woman aged in her 40s, stopped at the scene.
"She was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been taken into custody.
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"We are not treating this incident as terror related."
The Met Police also confirmed 16 people were treated for injuries at the scene while 12 of those were taken to hospital.
It's understood the children may have been taking part in a tea party outside when the horror unfolded.
Shocking pictures show the car rammed into the side of the building leaving part of the school caved in.
Images from the scene show a picnic blanket laid out in the school courtyard and a table covered in trinkets, snacks and bottles of water.
According to the school's website, today was the final day of term for many of the students.
It's believed the driver may have had a "medical episode" behind the wheel, according to reports.
The London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance service are both supporting police at the scene.
Up to 20 ambulances, an air ambulance and multiple fire engines are at the scene.
A local said: "It’s terrible, the children were sat on the grass with their teachers for the end of the school year having a tea party.
“We think a local resident was coming down from the Royal Wimbledon golf club and crashed through the fence.”
Wimbledon resident Julie Atwood said: "My daughter used to go to this school. It's a girls' school.
"Wimbledon is like a little village. For this to happen in Wimbledon is unheard of. It's terrible."
A member of Wimbledon common golf club told The Sun they were "absolutely traumatised".
A witness saw 20 to 30 schoolgirls being evacuated to safety.
A parent of a former pupil at The Study Prep school said the fatal crash had made him "very emotional".
The man, who did not want to be named, said his daughter left the school two years ago and that it is "a really nice, small friendly place".
He said: "It's unbelievable. I heard about it this morning, it's terribly sad. I just feel very emotional.
"It's a good school. It's not really an academic boiler house, it's a really nice, balanced school.
"The building that was crashed into is a new building, I think it's only been there for about a year."
The school for girls, aged between four and eleven, declined to comment.
It comes as the borough is currently hosting to the world-famous tennis championship that bears its name.
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A Wimbledon spokesperson said: “On behalf of everyone at Wimbledon, we wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the tragic events at Wimbledon Study Preparatory School.
“Our thoughts are with them, their families, the school and the wider community at this deeply distressing time.”
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