16 others were left injured when a Land Rover crashed into the building of The Study Preparatory School just before 10am yesterday (July 6).

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after the crash in Camp Road.

The driver stopped at the scene and police have asked the public not to speculate.

10 people were taken to hospital following the incident.

New Malden residents Sophia Graham, 27, and Tayla Landsberg, 22, who brought flowers to the police cordon said: “When we found out one of the kids had died it was awful.

“When the police made their announcement, it was so sad to see even them get emotional. It’s made a big impact on everyone.

“Kids walk in the Common freely without thinking about it.”

Ms Landsberg said: “It’s usually very peaceful, very bubbly with lots of fun activities going on.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I’m heartbroken at the news that an eight-year-old girl has so tragically died following the incident at a school in Wimbledon.

“My thoughts are with her loved ones, the school and wider community at this extremely difficult time, and on behalf of all Londoners I want to extend my deepest condolences to them.

“My heart goes out to everyone affected, including the other children and adults injured as a result of this incident, and I wish them all a full recovery.”

In a statement published on its website, The Study Preparatory School said: “We are profoundly shocked by the tragic accident this morning at Wilberforce House and devastated that it has claimed the life of one of our young pupils, as well as injuring several others.

“Our thoughts are with the bereaved family and with the families of those injured at this terrible time.

“It is still far too soon to fully understand what happened, but we are well aware of the significant impact this dreadful event will have on our pupils and their families.

“Their welfare remains our top priority and we will be doing everything we can to support them, especially those who suffered injuries.

“Now that a police investigation is under way we will not be making any further public statement for the time being and would ask that the privacy of our school community is respected at this deeply upsetting time.”

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: "Police were called at 09:54hrs on Thursday, 6 July to reports that a car had collided with a building at The Study Prep, a school in Camp Road, Wimbledon.

"Officers attended, along with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance.

"There have been further injuries and we await an update from the London Ambulance Service.

"The driver of the vehicle stopped at the scene.

"We are not treating this incident as terror related."