Two people have been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following an incident involving a loading vehicle which has left a teenage girl in a critical condition in hospital.
Police attended the Chalkwell Park area of Southend, Essex, in the early hours of Saturday morning at around 12.30am after receiving a report of an incident involving a “small articulated loading vehicle”.
A spokesman for Essex Police stated that the girl suffered “significant injuries” and her family were being supported as she remained in hospital.
He added that an 18-year-old man from Westcliff and a 17-year-old boy from Leigh-on-Sea were in custody for questioning following the incident.
The spokesman said: “A group was reported to have taken unauthorised control of a small articulated loading vehicle.
“The girl is believed to have been involved in an incident with the vehicle and sustained significant injuries. Officers and ambulance crews attended promptly, and a cordon remains in place.
“Paramedics took the girl to hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.
“As part of our early inquiries, officers have arrested an 18-year-old man from Westcliff and a 17-year-old boy from Leigh-on-Sea.
“They remain in custody on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.”
Appealing for witnesses and any videos of the incident, the spokesman added: “We know there were a large number of young people in the area at the time, and we believe some may have witnessed what happened.
“We urgently need to hear from anyone with information or footage.”
