A devastating incident unfolded in Wimbledon on Thursday, claiming the life of an 8-year-old girl. An SUV collided with The Study Preparatory School, a private all-girls institution, leaving the community in shock and mourning. The driver, a woman in her 40s, has been arrested for causing death by dangerous driving.

The young girl tragically died at the scene. Detective Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, the Metropolitan Police's local commander for southwest London, expressed her profound condolences to the girl's family. She confirmed that the incident is not being treated as terror-related and urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation is underway.

Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene. Sixteen individuals received medical attention, with ten requiring hospitalization, according to John Martin, chief paramedic for London Ambulance Service. The school section affected primarily caters to younger children aged 4 to 8.

The image above depicts the scene at The Study Preparatory School following the crash (AP Photo/Kin Cheung).

Located approximately a mile from the renowned All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, home to the Wimbledon tennis tournament, The Study Preparatory School sits in a relatively secluded area surrounded by parks and recreational spaces. The contrast between the celebratory atmosphere of the tournament and the tragedy at the school highlights the sudden and unexpected nature of the event.

A large cordon was established around the school. The SUV, seemingly a Land Rover, could be seen against the school building's wall in aerial footage. Local residents expressed their disbelief and sorrow, with one resident describing Wimbledon as a close-knit community where such incidents are extremely rare.