The family of an eight-year-old girl have paid tribute after she was tragically killed when a car crashed into a school in Wimbledon, London.
Students at The Study Preparatory School were said to be in the garden enjoying end-of-year celebrations on 6 July when a Land Rover crashed over the school boundary, injuring a total of 16 people.
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Parents rushed to the school to check on their children after the crash, with one witness, Zac Powell, describing the adults as 'distraught'.
He said he had seen many people 'picking up their children with expressions of relief or despair'.
"There was quite a lot of damage I could see. Even from a distance. Within 15 minutes of my arrival there were armed police response units here at the scene," he said.
Ambulances arrived at the school and a 46-year-old woman was arrested in the wake of the crash, with an investigation into the events still ongoing.
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Shortly after the crash, Met Police Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland became emotional as she announced the death of an eight-year-old girl.
In a statement, she commented: “This is tragic news and our thoughts are with the girl’s family and friends, and everyone affected today."
Selena Lau has now been identified as the student who sadly lost her life.
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Her family paid tribute to their little loved one in a short statement released by the police, saying: "Selena was an intelligent and cheeky girl adored and loved by everyone. The family wishes their privacy to be respected at this sad time."
Friends and other people who knew Selena have also paid their respects, with one woman seen visiting the scene at the school and leaving flowers and a card, which read: "Dear Selena, you will always be our shining star. We will miss you so much."
The Study Preparatory School, which teaches girls aged 4 to 11, responded to the incident in a statement on its website.
"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," it read.
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"Our thoughts are with the bereaved family and with the families of those injured at this terrible time."
As the investigation continues, Detective Chief Superintendent Kelland encouraged people not to speculate on the details of the crash while investigators 'work to understand the full circumstances of what has happened during this tragic incident'.
Topics: UK News
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Emily Brown