A woman driver who crashed into a school killing two eight-year-old girls could face criminal charges, two years on – as significant new witnesses have come forward.
Police are preparing a file of evidence for prosecutors to consider charges against Claire Freemantle, 48, who had avoided prosecution after saying she had suffered her first ever epileptic seizure at the wheel.
The development comes on the second anniversary of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau dying after the Land Rover Defender veered off the road and smashed through a fence into The Study Prep School in Wimbledon, south-west London, as children and staff were enjoying an end-of-term tea party.
Nine children and three adults were also seriously injured in the crash on the morning of July 6, 2023.
Today, the grieving families and community are holding a memorial event to commemorate the girls.
In a poignant reminder, Nuria and Selena’s classmates marked the end of their time at the prep school on Friday before moving on to secondary education.
Ms Freemantle was arrested at the scene and investigated by police. But prosecutors decided not to bring any criminal charges in June 2024 after Ms Freemantle said she had suffered an epileptic seizure.
In October, the Mail revealed Met Police had decided to reopen the probe after a serious case review uncovered significant flaws in the way officers conducted the initial inquiry, including consideration of medical evidence which led to the case being dropped.
Driver Claire Freemantle, 47, faced no charges after it was claimed she had suffered an epileptic seizure at the wheel for the first time
Nuria Sajjad (right) and Selena Lau (left), both eight, were killed when a Land Rover Defender smashed through a fence as children and staff attended an end-of-year tea party in July 2023
One of the key issues in the original investigation was the diagnosis of epilepsy, which is notoriously difficult to detect without brain scans shortly after a seizure, and a detailed consideration of a patient’s medical history.
The review is also understood to have been critical of missed opportunities by the original investigation team in the Road Traffic Collisions Unit who failed to interview key witnesses at the scene about the driver’s behaviour in the immediate aftermath.
The case was subsequently reopened and handed to a top detective superintendent from Specialist Crime Command.
Police then made a successful appeal for people who witnessed the crash to come forward to help officers understand whether the driver’s behaviour was consistent with her diagnosis.
In January, Ms Freemantle was rearrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. She remains on bail. The bereaved families welcomed the case being reopened ‘into the death of our beautiful girls and the harm caused to those injured and who witnessed the tragedy’.
Ms Freemantle has said she had no recollection of what happened after losing consciousness.
She said last year: ‘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.
‘I have since been diagnosed as having suffered an epileptic seizure with loss of consciousness.
Scotland Yard reopened the case after a review revealed significant shortfalls in the way officers conducted the initial investigation into the crash at the Study Prep School in Wimbledon, south-west London
Police officers walk past flowers left by members of the community in tribute to the victims of a car crash outside The Study Preparatory School on Camp Road on July 7 last year
Nuria’s mother Smera was also injured in the horrific crash that took place just after this photo of them was taken
‘This was not a pre-existing condition,’ she added.
‘As a result of losing consciousness, I have no recollection of what took place.’
Met Police said: ‘Our thoughts are with Nuria and Selena’s loved ones at this time.
‘Our investigation continues and we are in regular contact with the families.’
