Two arrested after teenage girl critically injured in Southend loading vehicle incident

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following an incident involving a loading truck that left a young girl in hospital in a critical condition.

Police responded to the Chalkwell Park area in Southend, Essex, at around 12.30am in the early hours of Saturday morning after receiving reports of an incident involving a “small articulated loading vehicle”.

An Essex Police spokesman said the girl suffered “serious injuries” and her family was being supported while she remained in hospital.

He added that following the incident, an 18-year-old man from Westcliff and a 17-year-old boy from Leigh-on-Sea were detained for questioning.

The spokesman said: “A group has reportedly taken unauthorized control of a small articulated loader.

“The girl is believed to have been involved in a vehicular incident and suffered serious injuries. “Officers and ambulance crews responded immediately and cordon remains in place.

“Paramedics took the girl to hospital, her condition is critical.

“As part of our initial investigations officers arrested an 18-year-old man from Westcliff and a 17-year-old boy from Leigh-on-Sea.

“They are being detained on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.”

Calling for eyewitnesses and videos of the incident to be found, the spokesman added: “We know that there were many young people in the area at that time and we believe that some of them may have witnessed what happened.

“We urgently need to hear from anyone with information or footage.”