The individual who caused the untimely demise of two children after experiencing an epileptic seizure while driving and colliding her car into a primary school has been revealed in a photograph for the first time.
Claire Freemantle was operating her Land Rover when she lost consciousness, leading to the collision with Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon on July 6 of last year.
During an end-of-term tea party on the school premises, two eight-year-old schoolgirls, Selena Lau and Nuria Sajjad, tragically lost their lives.
Several other individuals, including a woman presumed to be a parent or caregiver and a seven-month-old infant, sustained injuries in the incident, with some in critical condition.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Mrs. Freemantle, a 47-year-old mother, will not be prosecuted for the accident due to the revelation that she suffered an epileptic seizure while driving.
At the time of the incident, she had been detained and later released on bail under suspicion of causing death due to dangerous driving.
Neurologists discovered that Mrs. Freemantle had not been previously diagnosed with any underlying medical condition and had never experienced a seizure before. It is understood that she has voluntarily surrendered her driver’s license and will need to demonstrate to the DVLA that she is seizure-free before it is reinstated.
Reacting to Mrs. Freemantle’s diagnosis, Epilepsy Society CEO Clare Pelham stated: ‘This signifies one of the most heart-wrenching and tragic repercussions of an epileptic seizure, and our sympathies are with the families and acquaintances of the deceased children and all those who were affected, both physically and emotionally, in these harrowing circumstances.’
‘We wouldn’t delve into an individual’s personal medical history, and we are unaware of the specifics that led to this tragedy. However, we do acknowledge that epilepsy can be detected at any point in a person’s life, and an initial seizure may occur without warning. About one in 20 individuals will experience a single epileptic seizure at some stage in their lives. It could afflict any of us.’
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‘Individuals with epilepsy, whose seizures are unmanageable with medications, must cease driving and surrender their driver’s licenses. Nonetheless, this tragedy underscores an inconceivable consequence of a potentially initial seizure without warning.’
‘This distressing scenario emphasizes the importance of increased investments in research that will eventually empower us to gain a better understanding of and treat the underlying causes of epilepsy.’
In a statement following the CPS decision, Mrs. Freemantle remarked: ‘Since learning about the tragic occurrence on July 6, the dire repercussions for all those impacted have not left my mind and will stay with me indefinitely.
‘Subsequently, I was diagnosed with having experienced an epileptic seizure resulting in loss of consciousness. This was not a pre-existing condition.
‘Due to the loss of consciousness, I have no recollection of the event.
‘I can only convey my deepest regrets to the families who have endured such profound loss and injury.’
Tragic Accident at The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon
‘Being a parent myself, I comprehend that there are no words that can sufficiently convey the sorrow and grief stemming from the incident during those dreadful moments when I was unconscious.
‘My deepest sympathy goes out to all the children and families affected, especially to Nuria Sajjad’s and Selena Lau’s parents.’
The guardians of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau released a joint statement expressing their dissatisfaction with the police inquiry into the collision.
They stated: ‘There are still unresolved queries. Unless these uncertainties are clarified, we cannot be convinced that a just and thorough examination was carried out.
‘We continue to live with traumatic recollections, some of us may never fully recover from our wounds, and the ache of our loss will never fade.
‘Yet, we are expected to accept the notion that the individual solely liable for the deaths of two people and the injuries of others will face no consequences for their actions they are solely responsible for, without providing us with adequate proof that no criminal wrongdoing occurred.
‘Justice has not been served, nor has it been visibly upheld. Nuria and Selena deserved more.’
Contact our news team via email at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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