The families of two girls who were hit by an SUV outside a school in Wimbledon have met with Mayor Sadiq Khan and called for faster investigations into road accidents involving children.
Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau, both 8 years old, died when a Land Rover Defender crashed into a Study Preparatory School graduation party on July 6 last year.
Investigators concluded that the driver, Claire Freemantle, had suffered an epileptic seizure while driving and would not face criminal charges.
But last month the Metropolitan Police launched a review of the investigation after the victims’ families said they remained “unconvinced” that it had been carried out thoroughly.
Nuria’s parents and Selena’s father met Mr Khan with their lawyer Trevor Sterling on Wednesday.
It is expected that Mr Khan will ask the police to give priority to investigating road deaths involving children.
A spokesman for the mayor told the Standard: “The mayor is deeply shocked by the tragic deaths of Nuria and Selena. Their deaths have shocked us all.”
“The Mayor and his Deputy for Police and Crime have met with both families and it is right that the police have committed to answering their questions and concerns through a review of the investigation.”
Earlier this year it became clear that the Met’s investigation had been delayed due to a shortage of specialist forensic accident investigators.
In June, prosecutors confirmed that no charges would be brought against Ms Freemantle.
Mr Sterling told the BBC the delay had had a “significant impact” on the Sajjad and Lau families, as well as others injured in the crash.
“Parents in particular had to watch as their children or other people were killed or seriously injured. That must have been traumatic to witness,” he said.
Helen Lowe, who was headteacher at the time of the accident, had previously said she felt “let down” by the police investigation.
Ms Freemantle had previously expressed her “deepest sadness” and said she had “no memory of what happened” after she lost consciousness at the wheel.
“Ever since I learned about the terrible events of July 6, the devastating consequences for all those affected have haunted me and will stay with me for the rest of my life,” she said.
The Metropolitan Police have been asked for comment.
