Parents of eight-year-old killed in prep school crash call for ‘accountability’

Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau both died following the incident at The Study Prep school in Wimbledon on July 6.

Nuria Sajjad was killed in the incident at The Study Prep school in Wimbledon on July 6 (Metropolitan Police/PA) (PA Media)

The parents of a schoolgirl who was killed when a Land Rover crashed into an end-of-term tea party at a prep school have called for “justice” and “accountability”.

Nuria Sajjad, and fellow eight-year-old pupil Selena Lau, died following the incident at The Study Prep school in Wimbledon, south-west London, on July 6.

Several others were injured when the car crashed through a fence and collided with a building, though all have since been discharged from hospital.

Nuria’s parents, Smera Chohan and Sajjad Butt, told BBC London they had gone from “what should have been the happiest days of our daughter’s life to absolute horror”.

Ms Chohan told the broadcaster: “She was our perfect girl and she was crushed to death.

“The buck has to stop with someone.

“She was eager for her future, she wanted to live, she wanted to grow up.”

Mr Butt added: “In a matter of seconds we went from what should have been the happiest days of our daughter’s life to absolute horror.”

The Metropolitan Police said a 46-year-old woman from Wimbledon, who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, has been bailed until January.

Nuria’s parents have questioned the delay in the case.

Ms Chohan told BBC London: “For it to prolong and leave us with just questions and questions… whereas I feel two girls have just lost their lives.

“If that is not a priority, then what is?”

Mr Butt continued: “We understand due process, we understand that this needs to be done properly.

“I think from our perspective the challenge is that dozens of people witnessed what happened.

“I don’t think there is any doubt about what happened.”

We want justice, we want accountability

Sajjad Butt, Nuria Sajjad's father

Paying tribute to her daughter, Ms Chohan said: “Her name means light. She was the light of our lives – will always be.

“She was all about being kind.”She was the youngest amongst her cousins – she looked up to them, she called them brothers.

“I had always dreamt that when she walks down the aisle, her brothers would walk her down.

“Her brothers had to carry her coffin and lower her in the grave.”

Mr Butt added: “Her kindness was her defining trait. Generosity and her zest and zeal for life – she was just full of joy.

“This isn’t fair. This isn’t just. This isn’t right.

“We want justice, we want accountability.”

Inquests into the deaths of Nuria and Selena were opened and adjourned at Inner West London Coroner’s Court on July 12.

The Met told BBC London it recognised the “time taken can cause further distress but it is only right and fair to all involved that we carry out a thorough and extensive investigation”.