The Metropolitan Police has launched a review of the investigation into the car crash at a school in Wimbledon, southwest London, which killed two 8-year-old girls, the force announced on Thursday.
According to the Met, it opened the review after “concerns” were raised by the families of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, who died after the crash at the Study Prep School on July 6, 2023.
The Met said in a statement on Thursday, “Having listened to concerns from the families of both Nuria and Selena – and other parties affected – we are committed to addressing their questions, and the Specialist Crime Review Group (SCRG) will therefore be carrying out a review of the investigation.”
The force added that officers worked “tirelessly through every detail of the incident” to ensure a complete investigation.
In a joint statement issued after the announcement that Ms. Freemantle would not face criminal charges, the girls’ families said: “We remain unconvinced that the investigation has been conducted thoroughly.
“We remain unconvinced that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have reached a decision based on all the facts. Justice has neither been done, nor has been seen to be done today.”
They added that Nuria and Selena “deserved better.”
Ms. Freemantle expressed her “deepest sorrow” in a statement and said she had “no recollection of what took place” after losing consciousness.
Metropolitan Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland said last week that having examined her medical records, the driver could not have predicted or prevented the seizure.
She said in a statement: “I can understand that some may be confused – perhaps even feel let down – by this outcome and want to give every reassurance that our officers worked tirelessly through every detail of the incident to ensure a complete investigation be passed to the CPS.
“To bring charges in cases like this there needs to be an element of responsibility on the part of the driver, and, given the circumstances, this was simply not borne out on this occasion.”
The Study Prep had been celebrating the last day of the summer term when the SUV careened through the fencing and smashed into one of the school buildings.
Along with the two girls who lost their lives, several others people were hurt in the incident, which occurred while the Wimbledon Tennis Championships were underway at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club just over a mile from the school.
