The eight-year-old schoolgirl who was tragically killed when a 4×4 ploughed into an end of term party at a school in Wimbledon has been pictured for the first time.
Selena Lau, who was a pupil at The Study Prep school, was described by her heartbroken family members as a ‘cheeky’ young girl who was ‘adored by everyone’.
One of Selena’s eight-year-old classmates is fighting for her life in hospital alongside a woman in her 40s after the £80,000 Land Rover crashed through the primary school’s gates during an end of term picnic, sending girls screaming ‘in complete horror’.
On Friday floral tributes were laid at the scene for the ‘shining star’ pupil, who was heartbreakingly pictured in the very school uniform she would have been wearing at the time of the crash.
A note left for Selena from one of her friends read: ‘I will never forget you.’
The driver of the car that ploughed into an end of term picnic and sent pupils scattering, a 46-year-old woman from the area, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. She has now been bailed, the Met has said.
Families wept at the scene and said at least one child was stuck underneath the car after the crash, which left 16 others injured, including a seven-month-old baby, at Wimbledon’s Study Preparatory school on Camp Road.
Tributes left alongside flowers outside the school described Selena as a ‘star’. One said: ‘You will always be our shining star. We will miss you so much.’
On Friday night her emotional parents said in a statement: ‘Selena was an intelligent and cheeky girl adored and loved by everyone. The family wishes their privacy to be respected at this sad time.’
Police revealed that a second eight-year-old girl is in a life-threatening condition in hospital. A woman, in her 40s, also remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Altogether 12 people were taken to hospital, including a seven-month-old girl, and ten of their conditions have been assessed as not life-threatening.
All injured adults were parents and carers of the children – not teachers or staff.
Local councillors said pupils and staff at the prep school would be offered counselling to help them to cope with the horrific scenes they witnessed.
Year Three pupils had gathered with parents and teachers for a picnic when the vehicle careered through the fence shortly before 10am on Thursday morning, with reports that a prizegiving ceremony was taking place when the car careered into the gathering.
The driver of the car was questioned for 24 hours and spent Thursday night in custody.
There were initial reports that she may have suffered a ‘medical incident’ before the crash such as a heart attack or seizure.
Police confirmed on Friday she was initially taken to hospital, where her condition was assessed as not life-threatening.
She has been bailed pending further enquiries to a date in late July.
A statement from police released on Friday added: ‘Detectives from the Met’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are leading the investigation and their inquiries are ongoing. They are expected to remain at the scene throughout the day.
‘The investigation remains in its early stages and officers are keeping an open mind whilst following up all lines of inquiry. We ask that people do not speculate about the circumstances while this work is ongoing.’
Families have been holding vigils at the bedsides of several injured children, many of whom have broken bones, including a shattered pelvis, locals have said.
Some are reportedly critically ill.
Many parents were at the event – others rushed to the school from work or home to find their children at the school left distraught by the tragedy.
Members of the Wimbledon Common Golf Club, which is opposite the school, held a minute’s silence outside the school gates on Friday afternoon.
