Child tragically dies with others in critical condition after Wimbledon primary school hit by car - police make arrest

Chief Paramedic Dr John Martin from the London Ambulance Service said a total of 16 people were treated.

Kelland said: “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.”

Police have also confirmed that the driver of the vehicle, a woman aged in her 40s, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The Met Police have announced that it is not treating the incident as terror relation, and an investigation is under way to understand the full circumstances of what has taken place.

The vehicle is believed to be a Land Rover Defender.

Earlier, a Scotland Yard spokesman said several casualties were being treated at the scene.

The spokesman said: “Officers are responding to a serious collision at a primary school in Wimbledon. We were called at 09:54hrs on Thursday, 6 July to reports that a car collided with a building at the school in Camp Road.

"Officers remain at the scene along with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance. Several people are being treated at the scene.”

The south-west London school is for girls aged 4 to 11 and first opened in 1893.

The Duchess of Gloucester previously opened the school's new Wilberforce House to celebrate the school's centenary.

MP for Wimbledon, Stephen Hammond, tweeted: "Very concerned to hear about the Study Preparatory School at Camp Road this morning.

"A major incident has been declared and I know all emergency services are on site. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone at The Study."

Hammond also told BBC Radio London: "It's extremely distressing and extremely concerning."

He added: “The Study prep school is in two parts. The part that’s at Camp Road deals with children from reception usually up to the age of eight or nine. Nursery, eight or nine. And girls, young girls, as well."

The school is situated right on the corner of Wimbledon Common, near Wimbledon Common Golf Club.

He explained: "It's on what we would call the quadrangle, Camp Road is part of the quadrangle with West View, North View as well. It's basically about a mile outside Wimbledon Village."

Hammond continued: "It's quite a difficult road, because there's usually parking, because it's quite difficult to pass, you normally have to stop to let someone pass.

"So normally people don't build up speed, it's in a 20mph zone anyway.

"If you'd said another road in Wimbledon, I could quite easily understand that some people would be going at the wrong speed, an illegal speed.

"But this is a road where it's really quite difficult to do that in as well. Doesn't happen very often to my knowledge, partly because it's a tight road, difficult to pass."

Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education, has tweeted: "I am deeply concerned by reports of an incident at a primary school in Wimbledon this morning.

"My thoughts are with families, staff and the community involved and I am hugely grateful for the fast action of the emergency services who are currently at the scene."

Suella Braverman, Home Secretary, has tweeted: "I am saddened to hear about the tragic incident at the school in Wimbledon this morning.

"My thoughts are with everyone affected. I would like to thank emergency responders at the scene. It is important they are now able to carry out their investigation."

Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, tweeted: "Thinking of all the families, pupils and staff affected by the terrible incident at a primary school in Wimbledon this morning.

"Thank you to the emergency services on site for their swift response."

London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, said: "The incident at a primary school on Camp Road in Wimbledon is truly horrific. My thoughts are with all those affected."

Wimbledon and Putney Commons tweeted: "Following an incident at the edge of the Common on Camp Road, the public are asked to avoid that area of the Commons to allow free access to the emergency services. Thank you."