First picture of mum who killed two children after epileptic fit at the wheel
'This tragedy highlights an unimaginable consequence of potentially a first seizure with no warning.'
![Claire Freemantle's car crashed into a school](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SEC_210741702-7008.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1024)
The woman who killed two children after having an epileptic fit at the wheel and crashing her car into a primary school has been pictured for the first time.
Claire Freemantle was driving her Land Rover when she lost consciousness and crashed into the Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon last July 6.
Two eight-year-old schoolgirls, Selena Lau and Nuria Sajjad, were killed as they took part in an end of term tea party on the school grounds.
Several other people, including a woman thought to be a parent or carer and a seven-month-old baby, were injured in the crash, some seriously.
Earlier this week it was announced that Mrs Freemantle, 47 and a mother herself, will not face any charges over the crash after it emerged that she had suffered an epileptic fit at the wheel.
At the time, she had been arrested and bailed on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
![Claire Freemantle (pictured) was at the wheel of her ?80,000 Land Rover when she lost consciousness and slammed into an end of term tea party being held on the grounds of the Study Preparatory School This is the first picture of the driver who suffered an epileptic fit and ploughed into a Wimbledon school killing two eight-year-old girls. Clare Freemantle was at the wheel of her ?80,000 Land Rover when she lost consciousness and slammed into an end of term tea party being held on the grounds of the Study Preparatory School.](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SEI_210667573-9dd8.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=366)
![Undated family handout file photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of eight-year-old Nuria Sajjad who was killed when a Land Rover crashed into a building at Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon, south-west London.. The parents of Nuria have said they live in](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SEI_201087892-16c9.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=576)
![Undated file family handout photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of Selena Lau who was killed when a Land Rover crashed into a building at Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon, south-west London on the last day of term. Franky Lau, Selena's father, says the family is still waiting for answers over what happened from the police. Issue date: Monday February 5, 2024. PA Photo. Mr Lau told Vanessa Feltz on TalkTV that he does not have confidence in the Met and has no idea how long the family will have to wait for an update over the death. See PA story POLICE Wimbledon. Photo credit should read: Family handout/Metropolitan Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SEI_190167540-236e.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=782)
Neurological specialists found Mrs Freemantle had no prior diagnosis of a medical condition and had not had a seizure before. It’s thought she has surrendered her driving licence, and will have to prove to the DVLA that she is free from any seizure before getting it back.
Responding to Mrs Freemantle’s diagnosis, Epilepsy Society chief executive Clare Pelham said: ‘This is one of the most heartbreaking and tragic consequences of an epileptic seizure and our hearts go out to the families and friends of the children who died and to all those who were injured, physically and mentally, in these distressing circumstances.
‘We would never comment on anyone’s personal medical history and we are not aware of the circumstances that led to this tragedy. But we do know that epilepsy can be diagnosed at any stage of a person’s life and a first seizure may happen without warning.
‘As many as one in 20 people will have a one-off epileptic seizure at some time in their life. It could happen to any one of us.
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‘People with epilepsy whose seizures are not controlled by medications must stop driving and surrender their driving licence. But this tragedy highlights an unimaginable consequence of potentially a first seizure with no warning.
‘This distressing case underlines just how critical it is that more funds are invested in research that will enable us ultimately to better understand and treat the causes of epilepsy.’
In a statement after the CPS decision, Mrs Freemantle said: ‘Since I became aware of the terrible event that took place on July 6, the devastating consequences for all those affected have not left my thoughts and will be with me for the rest of my life.
‘I have since been diagnosed as having suffered an epileptic seizure with loss of consciousness. This was not a pre-existing condition.
‘As a result of losing consciousness I have no recollection of what took place.
‘I can only express my deepest sorrow for the families who have suffered such dreadful loss and injury.
![A Land Rover Defender is seen inside the grounds of The Study Preparatory School in Camp Road, Wimbledon, south London. A girl has died and a woman in her 40s has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after a car crashed into the girls' prep school building. Officers, firefighters and paramedics, including London's Air Ambulance, responded to the incident at around 9.54am on Thursday. Picture date: Thursday July 6, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE School. Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SEI_163070099-2288.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1024)
![WIMBLEDON, ENGLAND - JULY 06: Police and emergency services attend the scene of a car crash at a school on July 6, 2023 in Wimbledon, England. A Land Rover has reportedly crashed into The Study Preparatory School on Camp Road in Wimbledon, injuring several people. Police are investigating. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SEI_163033866-4929.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1024)
‘As a mother, I understand there can be no words that adequately express the pain and loss resulting from what happened in those horrendous moments while I was unconscious.
‘My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of the children and families affected, and especially to the parents of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau.’
The parents of Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau have shared a joint statement sharing their disappointment with the police investigation into the crash.
They said: ‘There are questions that remain unanswered. As long as these doubts remain, we remain unconvinced that a fair and thorough investigation was conducted.
‘We continue to live with horrific memories, some of us will never physically recover from our injuries, and the pain of our loss will never subside.
‘And yet, it is suggested that we must continue to live with the claim that the person solely responsible for the deaths of two and the maiming of others bears no consequence for the actions that they solely are responsible, without providing us with sufficient evidence that no criminal act was conducted.
‘Justice has neither been done, nor has been seen to be done. Nuria and Selena deserved better.’
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