Overview
- A group took unauthorised control of a small articulated loading vehicle in Chalkwell Park, which on Saturday 13 June struck an 18-year-old woman who was taken to hospital in critical condition.
- Essex Police confirmed on Friday 19 June that the woman has died and that officers are providing support to her family as enquiries continue.
- An 18-year-old man from Westcliff and a 17-year-old boy from Leigh-on-Sea were arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and have been released on bail until September.
- Detectives are urgently asking anyone who saw the incident or has CCTV, dash‑cam or phone footage to contact them and quote incident 39 of 13 June, noting a large number of young people were in the area at the time.
- The case has drawn local tributes and renewed concern about safety at Chalkwell Park after a separate fatal tree collapse in 2025, and it could prompt tighter controls on access to heavy equipment in public spaces.