Woman suffered epileptic seizure in bizarre UK accident that killed Indian-origin schoolgirl | World News

The British Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has decided not to press charges against the driver involved in a bizarre accident in which a schoolgirl of Indian origin died after she lost control of her vehicle following a sudden epileptic seizure.

Nuria Sajjad was killed last July along with a schoolmate (both eight years old) when a Land Rover crashed through a fence at their Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon, southwest London.

Jaswant Narwal, chief prosecutor and head of the London Public Prosecutor’s Office’s homicide squad, described the incident as an “unimaginable tragedy” but concluded on Wednesday after a “lengthy and detailed investigation” that a criminal investigation was not in the public interest.

“The driver of the vehicle suffered an epileptic seizure while driving, causing her to lose control of the vehicle, which then drove into the school,” Narwal said.

“There is no evidence that the driver has suffered a similar attack before, nor has she been diagnosed with any medical condition. As there is no evidence that the driver could have done anything to foresee or prevent this tragedy, it is not in the public interest to seek prosecution,” she said.

The prosecutor said that in reaching its decision, the CPS had considered the driver’s full medical record obtained by police and evidence from neurological specialists, who agreed that the driver had suffered an epileptic fit and that this was the first medical incident of its kind that she had experienced.

“The death of a child is an unimaginable tragedy for any parent… Throughout the process, we have met with the grieving families on several occasions to ensure they were informed of the progress of the case and to fully explain our decision. Our thoughts are with them today, as well as with the other injured victims and the wider school community who have been profoundly impacted by this tragic incident,” she added.

The driver of the vehicle, Claire Freemantle, in her mid-40s, has voluntarily surrendered her driving licence and, according to her diagnosis, must be seizure-free for a year before she can apply for a new licence.

In April, Nuria’s parents, Smera Chohan and Sajjad Butt, sought answers to the lengthy investigation into the incident. Freemantle was subsequently arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and released on bail. Chohan was also seriously injured in the accident while posing for a photo with her daughter on the fateful day, shortly before the vehicle crashed into the school. Following the CPS statement this week, the families of the two girls said: “Justice has not been done, nor has it been seen today.”

“None of the victims of the events of July 6, 2023 did anything wrong. We were all in the safest place we could be outside of our own homes, celebrating a day of joy. Nuria and Selena’s lives were taken in an instant. Some of us will never know joy again,” their joint statement said.