Police said two teenagers arrested after the June 13 incident remain on bail until September.
SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, England — An 18-year-old woman has died after she was seriously injured in an incident involving a small articulated loading vehicle at Chalkwell Park, Essex Police said.
Tallulah Bradford was hurt in the early hours of June 13 after police received reports that a group had taken unauthorized control of the vehicle. Her death on June 19 shifted the case from a serious injury investigation into a fatal inquiry, with detectives still seeking witnesses and footage.
Officers were called to the Chalkwell Park area at about 12:30 a.m. on June 13. Police said Bradford suffered significant injuries after becoming involved in an incident with the vehicle. Officers and ambulance crews attended, and paramedics took her to a hospital, where she was listed in critical condition. Essex Police later said she had died and that officers were continuing to support her family. “We know there were a large number of young people in the area at the time,” the force said.
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, police said. Both were later released on bail until September while inquiries continue. Police have not said who was driving the vehicle, how it was accessed or what role each suspect is alleged to have played. Investigators also have not announced any charges. The case remains active as detectives gather statements, review evidence and seek video recorded near the park.
Chalkwell Park is a public park in Southend-on-Sea and is often busy during warmer months. Police said many young people were believed to have been in the area when the incident happened. The vehicle was described by officers as a small articulated loading vehicle, a type of machine used for moving, lifting or loading materials. Such equipment is not built for crowded public spaces, and police have described the reported use that night as unauthorized.
The investigation is expected to focus on the vehicle’s movements, who had control of it and what happened in the moments before Bradford was injured. Detectives also are working to identify people who were present but have not yet spoken with officers. The bail period running until September gives police time to review witness accounts, phone footage and any forensic findings before deciding whether to submit a file for charging review.
The death has drawn concern in Southend, where the circumstances have stood out because of Bradford’s age and the unusual nature of the vehicle involved. Essex Police said Bradford’s family has been informed and is being supported. The force has released limited details while the inquiry continues, saying the priority is to establish a clear timeline of events in the park during the early morning hours.
The two arrested teenagers remain on bail until September. Essex Police said the investigation is ongoing, with detectives still working to determine exactly what happened at Chalkwell Park on June 13.
Author note: Last updated June 22, 2026.