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.
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.
‘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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