Driver rearrested over girls' school crash deaths

The driver of a car that crashed into a school tea party, killing two eight-year-old girls, has been rearrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Claire Freemantle, 48, previously expressed her "deepest sorrow" and said she had "no recollection of what took place" after the deaths of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau in Wimbledon, south-west London, on 6 July 2023.

The Met Police said it had reviewed its investigation following the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) decision last June not to charge the driver.

The girls' parents welcomed the reopening of the investigation and said it should be carried out "in the pursuit of truth and the full facts".

The Met said it had acted in response to "concerns raised by the families of Nuria and Selena" regarding the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) decision not to charge the driver.

Det Supt Lewis Basford added: "This is a live investigation and in order to maintain its integrity I can't go into further detail at this stage."

Ms Freemantle was first arrested at the scene of the crash at The Study Preparatory School.

Following an investigation, the CPS said Ms Freemantle had suffered an epileptic seizure behind the wheel, which caused her to lose control of the vehicle that then drove into the school.

As a result this meant she would not be charged, it said.

At the time, her solicitor said her epilepsy had "never previously manifested itself" and Ms Freemantle "had always enjoyed good health".

In a statement on Tuesday, the victims' parents said: "We welcomed the re-opening of the investigation in October 2024 by the Metropolitan Police into the death of our beautiful girls and the harm caused to those injured and who witnessed the tragedy on that sunny July day.

"It is important that this investigation runs its course unhindered and that each step taken is done so in the pursuit of truth and the full facts.

"As the investigation continues, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

On Tuesday, the school's headteacher Sharon Maher and Helen Lowe, who was interim head at the time of the crash, said they had "always wanted a full and thorough investigation to determine what led to the terrible events".

They added: "The new investigation by the Met Police has been very much welcomed and supported by the school, and we would like to echo their request for any witnesses or individuals with information who are yet to speak to the police to please contact them.

"Our thoughts always continue to be with the families of Selena and Nuria and the Study community affected by the tragic events that day."

In April last year, Nuria Sajjad's parents said the Met commissioner had told them their case was taking so long to investigate due to a lack of forensic officers.

Nuria had been taking a photo with her mum Smera Chohan when she was killed.

Solicitor Trevor Sterling, who is representing 20 of the families affected by the crash, said: "This remains an incredibly tragic case, which has and continues to have a profound impact on all of those affected."

Urging witnesses to come forward on Tuesday, the Met said a specialist crime review group had "identified lines of inquiry which required further examination".

Det Supt Basford added: "Our main priority is to ensure the lines of inquiry identified by the review are progressed.

"I would urge people to avoid speculation."

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