Misconduct inquiry over fatal schoolgirl crash
Misconduct Inquiry Over Fatal Schoolgirl Crash
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is examining the conduct of eleven Metropolitan Police officers regarding their response to a 2023 crash in Wimbledon that claimed the lives of two young girls. This investigation includes four current officers and one former detective constable, who are under scrutiny for potential gross misconduct.
Tragic Incident and Initial Response
In July 2023, a Land Rover driven by Claire Freemantle collided with a gathering of schoolchildren at The Study Preparatory School, resulting in the deaths of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both aged eight. Freemantle was not charged with any offense, as the Crown Prosecution Service cited an undiagnosed epileptic seizure as the cause of the accident.
Families’ Persistent Concerns
Despite the Met’s initial handling, the families of the girls have consistently argued that the investigation was incomplete. They expressed optimism upon the IOPC’s initiation of the probe, stating their commitment to uncovering the full truth about the incident and the police’s subsequent actions. “The truth must come to light,” they asserted in a statement.
Scope of the IOPC Inquiry
The IOPC’s investigation, launched in August 2025, will assess whether Met officers provided inaccurate information to those involved and if their treatment of victims was influenced by racial bias. It will also review the investigation’s management, the team’s conduct, and their engagement with the families of the deceased.
Reopening of the Case
The Metropolitan Police reopened the case in October 2024 following an internal review that highlighted new leads. Freemantle was re-arrested in January 2025 on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was interviewed again in July 2025. During her earlier statement in 2024, she apologized but claimed to have no memory of the event.
Parents’ Emotional Appeals
From their Wimbledon home, Nuria’s parents shared their anguish, emphasizing their belief that the Met had failed them. “I want to understand why I have been treated so cruelly and unfairly,” said Nuria’s mother, Smera Chohan, who is now undergoing her fifth surgery after being injured in the crash. She urged the legal system to act with integrity, stating, “Do it right. It’s been left hanging for three years and that isn’t right.”
“Our thoughts remain with Nuria and Selena’s families, as well as everyone impacted by this tragedy. It is right that our initial handling of this incident be independently scrutinised,” remarked Cdr Charmain Brenyah, who oversees the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command. She acknowledged the extended process had deepened the families’ pain and pledged support for the IOPC’s work.
Nuria’s father, Sajjad Butt, criticized the Crown Prosecution Service for withholding information, calling the organization “unwilling to engage with victims.” He described the system as broken, noting that victims are not being protected as they should be. Prosecutors reached out to the family shortly after the BBC requested a response, but the families feel their concerns remain unaddressed.
