A 16-year-old pupil has died after being struck by a taxi outside a private school in north London, as her grieving family remembered her as a “light” in their lives.
Melissa Premaratne was crossing the road on her way to class at Highgate School when she was hit by an Addison Lee taxi yesterday morning.
Witnesses said the teenager became trapped beneath the black Mercedes Vito people carrier. Firefighters used specialist equipment to raise the vehicle and free her.
Police were called to North Road at about 8.13am. London Ambulance Service crews, the London Fire Brigade and London’s Air Ambulance also attended the scene.
Despite the emergency response, Melissa was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a tribute, her devastated family said: “Melissa was a light in our lives and an amazing person.
“We will miss her deeply, every single day. Her kindness, warmth, and beautiful spirit will always remain in our hearts.”
A 68-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has since been released on bail as the investigation continues.
Melissa Premaratne, 16, died after being struck by an Addison Lee taxi while walking to school
Witnesses said Melissa was trapped beneath the black Mercedes Vito, prompting firefighters to lift the vehicle with specialist equipment. Pictured: A recovery lorry removes a vehicle from the scene
Melissa was crossing the road on her way to Highgate School, pictured, in north London when the collision happened yesterday morning
Detective Inspector Simon Ager said: “Our thoughts remain with Melissa’s family following her tragic death.
“The loss of a young life in such circumstances is truly devastating, and we recognise the profound impact this will have on all those who knew and loved her.
“Specialist officers continue to support Melissa’s family, and we would ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.
“Our investigation remains ongoing and we are working to establish exactly what happened.
“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage from the area at around the time it occurred.”
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A Highgate School spokesman said Melissa’s death had “come as a terrible shock to everyone at Highgate”.
The school added: “It is with deep sadness that we share the news that one of our Y12 pupils died today on the way to school in a road traffic incident.
“Out of respect for the family’s privacy, no further details will be shared at this time. We thank you for your understanding and compassion.
“The loss of such a young life, so full of promise and hope, is deeply heartbreaking, and we extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and all those affected by this awful news.”
‘She will be greatly missed, and we will continue to support her family, our pupils and staff, and the wider community, as we mourn her loss.’
Officers at the scene near Highgate School on North Road, Highgate, yesterday morning
Tributes being left near Highgate School where Melissa was fatally struck by an Addison Lee taxi
A spokesman for private hire group Addison Lee – which provides chauffeured cars, minibuses and couriers – said the vehicle belonged to the company.
‘We are aware of a serious incident that took place today involving one of our vehicles and pedestrians at approximately 8.30am in the Highgate vicinity,’ he said.
‘Our thoughts are with those people affected.
‘Due to its nature, the incident response is being led and managed by the police, and we are supporting them in their investigation.
‘As the facts are yet to be determined, we are unable to comment further at this stage.’
A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: ‘We were called at 8:11am today (24 September) to reports of a road traffic collision on North Road, Highgate, N6.
‘We sent an ambulance crew, paramedics in fast response cars, an incident response officer, a motorcycle responder and an advanced paramedic. We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.
‘We treated a teenager, but very sadly, despite our best efforts, she died at the scene.’
Anyone with information has been urged to call 101 quoting CAD1525/24Sept.