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Girl critically injured in 'loading vehicle' incident

Helen Burchell
News imageJamie Niblock/BBC A person in white overalls is on the ground at the front of a small, green, single-seater, four-wheeled vehicle which has two forks at the front. It has a roof over the driver's seat. It is cordoned-off on a path, and has blue and white police tape around trees.Jamie Niblock/BBC
A small green vehicle with forks on the front was being examined by the forensics team

Two teenagers have been arrested after a girl was critically injured in an incident involving "a small articulated loading vehicle" in a park.

It happened in Chalkwell Park in Southend-on-Sea at about 00:30 BST.

Essex Police said "a group was reported to have taken unauthorised control" of the vehicle resulting in significant injuries to the teenage girl, who has been taken to hospital.

An 18-year-old man from Westcliff-on-Sea and a 17-year-old boy from Leigh-on-Sea have been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

News imageEssex Police A rear view of a police officer looking out over a stretch of lawn at a park. A marked police car is next to him.Essex Police
Essex Police appealed for more information

Essex Police said: "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."

A cordon remained in place in the area and officers appealed for anyone with information or video footage to get in touch.

News imageJamie Niblock/BBC A small one-seater maintenance vehicle. It has one seat and a roller at the front. A forensics person in white overalls and a uniformed police officer are standing on the other side of police tape in front of it. There is a white building with the word "Meta" on its front.Jamie Niblock/BBC
A small vehicle with a roller at its front was also behind police tape on Saturday

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