2023-07-07 11:02:36
The terrorist track has been dismissed. An 8-year-old girl was killed and 16 people injured, some seriously, when a car slammed into a primary school in Wimbledon, south-west London, a few hours away from school holidays. The driver of the vehicle, a 40-year-old, was arrested, police said.
The accident happened shortly before 10 a.m. in a quiet, leafy and rather affluent area, just over a kilometer from the Wimbledon tournament, which is taking place at the moment. Police cordoned off the school, where many parents had rushed after hearing the news.
Ten people hospitalized
Footage showed a damaged Land Rover 4×4 almost stuck to the wall of the building in the school garden, where several tables were located. According to the daily The Times, the children of this private school for girls were celebrating the arrival of summer vacation. “Unfortunately, an 8-year-old girl died” in this accident, said during a press briefing a police officer for south-west London, Clair Kelland, visibly very moved. “Our thoughts are with his family at this incredibly difficult time,” she added.
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A total of sixteen people were treated at the scene. Ten were subsequently taken to hospital, said John Martin of the London Ambulance Service. He did not specify the age or condition of the injured, some of whom were seriously injured according to local MP Stephen Hammond. “The school is deeply affected by this tragedy”, declared during this press conference organized in front of the school John Tucker, the person in charge of the establishment, the “Study Prep School”, without further comment.
The driver from the neighborhood
An investigation is underway to establish the circumstances of the accident. The driver of the vehicle was arrested on “suspicion of dangerous driving resulting in death”. According to Stephen Hammond, she is from the neighborhood. “Our priority is going to be to identify all the witnesses, to review the CCTV images and, of course, to question the person” in police custody, said Clair Kelland.
Several politicians, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Home Secretary Suella Braverman and London Mayor Sadiq Khan addressed their thoughts to the victims and praised the action of the emergency services. Rishi Sunak spoke of the “terrifying” incident and sent “his sincere condolences” to the little girl’s family. Health Minister Steve Barclay spoke of a “shattering” incident. “My thoughts are with (…) all those who have been affected,” he added.
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