Girl, eight, killed and 10 in hospital after car crashes into school building in Wimbledon

• ITV News London's Sam Holder reports from the site of the Wimbledon school crash

An eight-year-old girl has been killed and 10 people were taken to hospital after a Land Rover crashed into a girls’ prep school building as pupils took part in an end-of-term party.

Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland fought back tears as she announced the age of the victim during a press conference outside the school in Wimbledon, south London, on Thursday.

Chief Paramedic Dr John Martin from the London Ambulance Service said a total of 16 people were treated at The Study Preparatory School in Camp Road following the incident.

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

Ms Kelland’s voice broke as she told reporters at the scene: “Very sadly one of the children, an eight-year-old girl, died at the scene.

"Our thoughts are with her family at this incredibly difficult time.”

• Clair Kelland fighting back tears as she addressed reporters to deliver an update about the crash

In a statement published on its website, The Study Preparatory School said: "We are profoundly shocked by the tragic accident this morning at Wilberforce House and devastated that it has claimed the life of one of our young pupils, as well as injuring several others.

"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.

"Now that a police investigation is underway we will not be making any further public statement for the time being and would ask that the privacy of our school community is respected at this deeply upsetting time."

A parent of a former pupil at The Study Prep school said the fatal crash had made him “very emotional”.

The man, who did not want to be named, said his daughter left the school in Wimbledon, south London, two years ago and that it is “a really nice, small friendly place”.

He said: “It’s unbelievable. I heard about it this morning, it’s terribly sad. I just feel very emotional.

'It’s a good school. It’s not really an academic boiler house, it’s a really nice, balanced school. It upsets me.

"The building that was crashed into is a new building, I think it’s only been there for about a year.”

Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond said children at school were having a party when the incident happened on the last day of term.

• The latest ITV News' report on the Wimbledon crash

The Conservative politician said: “I think it was a usual end-of-year celebration party. Just in the garden.

"As I understand it, they were inside the school but outside the classroom. It was very clear, very quickly, that it was a major incident and the local police declared it just that.

“I think you will have seen by the sheer scale of the response from the paramedics, air ambulance, fire brigade and the police what an important and serious incident this is.

"And what a sad incident – it is tragically on the last day of term, for this young girl to have lost her life. This is a well-liked, well-respected, well-known school.

"Most of the children who go here will be Wimbledon families, and this will cause shock across the whole of the local community."

Police extended a large cordon around the school and television pictures from overhead showed the car up against the wall of the building, while firefighters and paramedics stood near a gap in the fencing at the entrance to the site.

Officers moved dog walkers and passers-by away from the scene as an air ambulance remained on the edge of the Common while a number of ambulances parked nearby.

The Land Rover has now been removed from The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon where an eight-year-old girl died earlier on Thursday.

The car, covered in a green tarpaulin, was loaded on a police truck and driven away past broken and bent metal railings.

Flowers have been placed near the school where a young girl died in a car collision in Wimbledon.

New Malden residents Sophia Graham, 27, and Tayla Landsberg, 22, who brought flowers to the police cordon 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.”

The police cordon outside the school has been reduced, allowing more access to Wimbledon Common.

Wimbledon resident Julie Atwood said: “My daughter used to go to this school. It’s a girls’ school.

"Wimbledon is like a little village. For this to happen in Wimbledon is unheard of. It’s terrible.”

Tweets from Wimbledon and Putney Commons urged the public to stay away from the area.

• An eyewitness described 'bodies being wheeled into ambulances'

The school, which costs £5,565 per term, is for girls aged four to 11 and sits on Wimbledon Common, just a mile away from the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club as it hosts the world-famous tennis tournament.

Downing Street said the Prime Minister’s thoughts were with the family of the girl who died in the “terrifying” Wimbledon school incident.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Rishi Sunak thanked the emergency services for their swift response.

The spokesman said: “The Prime Minister’s deepest condolences are with the family of the girl who has tragically lost her life.

"His thoughts are with all those injured and involved in the horrific collision in Wimbledon this morning. This will have been a terrifying experience for all of the children, staff and parents.”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the crash was "absolutely devastating", adding: "My heart goes out to everyone affected.

"Police are on the scene and have confirmed the incident is not being treated as terror-related. An investigation is underway to understand the full circumstances and I continue to stay in close contact with the Met and other emergency services.

"Please avoid the area to allow emergency services free access to help all those who need it. If you have any information about the incident please call police on 101."

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