Teen girl dies week after being struck by stolen construction vehicle
Two teens were arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in Essex
An 18-year-old woman has died a week after being struck by a construction vehicle that two teenagers allegedly seized without authorisation at Chalkwell Park in Southend, Essex, in the early hours of 13 June. Essex Police announced her death on Friday, and she was subsequently identified by the Daily Mail on Saturday as Tallulah Bradford. Two individuals — an 18-year-old man from Westcliff and a 17-year-old boy — have been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and released on bail until September.
What happened at Chalkwell Park
Officers were called to the park at approximately 12:30 a.m. on 13 June following reports that a group of people "had taken unauthorized control of a small articulated loading vehicle" — a type of construction vehicle used for loading heavy materials, ploughing and lifting. Bradford was believed to have been involved in an incident with the vehicle and sustained significant injuries before being taken to hospital. She died from those injuries six days later, on 19 June.
Police appeal for witnesses
Essex Police confirmed in a Facebook post that their investigation is ongoing and that they are seeking the public's help. "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," Essex Police said. "We need anyone who has information and who we've not already spoken with to come forward."