Wimbledon school crash: Selena Lau, 8, named as ‘shining star’ pupil killed when Land Rover smashed into tea party
AN eight-year-old girl who was killed when a Land Rover smashed into a school tea party has been named this evening as Serena Lau.
Friends and family have paid tribute to “shining star” pupil Serena after she died in the horror crash in Wimbledon, south west London.
Her family said: “Selena was an intelligent and cheeky girl adored and loved by everyone.
“The family wishes their privacy to be respected at this sad time.”
An eight-year-old girl and a woman in her forties remain in hospital in critical condition.
A woman in her 40s has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving – and has since been released on bail.
This afternoon young pals of Selena left heartbreaking tributes at the scene.
One note in children’s handwriting reads: “Dear Selena, I will always think of you. I will miss you so much.
“I miss you. I will never forget you.”
Another floral tribute read: “Dear Selena, you will always be our shining star. We will miss you so much.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland choked back tears as she revealed the tragic news.
She said: “We were called shortly before 10 o’clock this morning after a car collided with a building at The Study Preparatory School, behind me in Camp Road.
“A large number of our officers were deployed to the scene, along with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance.
“Our officers, along with our colleagues from the other emergency services, provided first aid to a number of people who had been injured.
“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.
Ms Kelland added: “The driver of the car, a woman aged in her 40s, stopped at the scene.
“She was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been taken into custody.
“We are not treating this incident as terror related.”
The children were taking part in a tea party outside when the vehicle careered across the grass, crushing tables and chairs before hitting the building.
Glass shards and wall rubble were left strewn across the playground.
One local said: “It’s terrible, the children were sat on the grass with their teachers for the end of the school year having a tea party.”
Fellow resident Julie Atwood added: “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.”
The nearby golf course was closed and used as a base by emergency services yesterday.
One golfer told The Sun: “It was their last day of school. A couple of parents were there too.
“They are traumatized. I think there was a gym teacher there who actually saw it.”
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 under way 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.”