Police question woman after eight-year-old girl killed in car crash at school

Officers are not treating the incident as terror-related.

A Land Rover Defender is seen inside the grounds of The Study Preparatory School in Camp Road, Wimbledon (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire)

Police are continuing to question a woman over a car crash at a school that killed an eight-year-old girl during an end-of-term tea party.

Twelve other people were taken to hospital after a Land Rover Defender crashed into The Study Prep school in Wimbledon, south-west London, just before 10am on Thursday.

The Metropolitan Police said a woman in her 40s was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and remains in police custody.

Officers are not treating the incident as terror-related.

A police cordon was no longer in place on Friday morning while flowers and tributes had been placed along the entrance to the school.

One tribute left at the scene said: “To the Study and parents. So sorry for this tragic loss to the school and the family. Forever in our thoughts.

Another read: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you all on this tragic day.”

Sophia Graham, 27, and Tayla Landsberg, 22, from New Malden, brought flowers to the police cordon on Thursday evening.

Ms Graham said: “When we found out one of the kids had died it was awful.

“When the police made their announcement it was so sad to see even them get emotional. It’s made a big impact on everyone.

“Kids walk in the Common freely without thinking about it.”

Ms Landsberg said: “It’s usually very peaceful, very bubbly with lots of fun activities going on.”

London Ambulance Service said it sent 15 ambulances to the incident and treated 16 patients at the scene. Twelve were taken to hospital.

The school said in a statement that it was “profoundly shocked” by what happened.

A statement on its website added: “Our thoughts are with the bereaved family and with the families of those injured at this terrible time.

“It is still far too soon to fully understand what happened, but we are well aware of the significant impact this dreadful event will have on our pupils and their families.

“Their welfare remains our top priority and we will be doing everything we can to support them, especially those who suffered injuries.”