‘It comes flashing back’, sobs distraught mum of girl, 8, killed when Land Rover crashed into Wimbledon tea party
A 46-year-old woman was arrested and released under investigation following the tragedy
THE parents of a child killed when a Land Rover smashed into a school tea party have spoken for the first time.
Selena Lau and Nuria Sajjad, both 8, died following the horror at The Study Prep School in Wimbledon, South West London.
A woman arrested at the scene on July 6 remains under investigation.
Speaking to TalkTV Selena’s mum Jessie said: “It comes flashing back every day, every night, and I wish that was me lying there not her, I wish I could swap with her, I’d give anything I have to have her back.”
Her dad Franky added: “Was there anything we could have done to make that not happen.
“If it rained, they wouldn’t be having the picnic outside. All these different scenarios, every day.”
Emergency services raced to the prep school after the 4×4 ploughed through a fence, smashed into the tea party and collided with a school building.
A major incident was declared as more than 30 police vehicles sent to the scene, and 15 ambulances.
More than fifteen others were injured, including a seven-month-old baby girl, in the crash.
Recounting the phone call from a receptionist, Jessie said: “She was like, ‘Just come, something really serious has happened at school.
“I thought it may be a broken arm, I didn’t expect anything else. I was thinking why don’t you take her to the hospital, it takes me an hour to get there.
“It doesn’t make sense to wait for me to go to the hospital. And then I start crying.”
Nuria had just read out her “hopes and dreams” for the summer holidays, which included a trip to the Isle of Wight, and posed for a photo with her mum Smera Chohan.
I wish I could swap with her, I’d give anything I have to have her back
Selena's mum Jessie
Moments later the black and gold vehicle stormed into the playground and smashed into the party.
Smera was left with broken ribs, a broken shoulder and pelvis and needed to undergo three operations.
Nuria’s injuries were fatal and she passed away in hospital three days later.
Her family described her as the “light of our lives”, saying she “embodied joy, kindness and generosity”.
Shortly after Selena’s death, her family paid moving tribute to her as an “intelligent and cheeky girl” who was “loved by everyone”.
Franky said his parents have since moved in and Selena’s 12-year-old sister has struggled to come to terms with the loss.
But he said the family are still without answers seven months on from the death of his daughter.
He said: “We just don’t understand why it’s taking so long for an incident that everyone has seen.
“There’s only one suspect, one driver. She hasn’t escaped, it’s not like they’re looking for her.”
In an update on Thursday, a Met Police spokesperson said: “A 46-year-old woman from Wimbledon who was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving is currently released under investigation.
“Enquiries are ongoing.”
‘NEED ANSWERS’
Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, in charge of policing for south west London, told MailOnline: “Our thoughts remain with the families of Nuria and Selena who we know are greatly loved and missed.
“This was a tragic incident and we understand that the families want and need answers as to what happened.
“We are continuing to give them specialist support through our dedicated family liaison officers who are providing updates on the investigation where they can.
“Specialist detectives are working tirelessly to establish the circumstances of that day, including analysing CCTV and examining the expert report from forensic collision investigators.
“The incident involved the large scale deployment of joint resources from the Met, LAS and LFB and we are working closely with them, as well as the Crown Prosecution Service, as part of our investigation.
“We recognise that 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.”
