Two people have been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving after 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-on-Sea, Essex, at about 12.30am on Saturday after receiving a report of an incident involving a “small articulated loading vehicle”.

A spokesperson for Essex police said 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.

The spokesperson 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 spokesperson 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.”

The park was the site of fatal accident last year, when a seven-year-old girl was killed and her six-year-old cousin injured after a tree fell on them.