Two arrested on suspicion of murder after boy, 12, dies following Essex vehicle collision

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 12-year-old boy died following being hit by a vehicle.

The force said officers were called to Pilgrims Hatch in Brentwood at around 5.40pm on Sunday after reports of a collision in Ashwells Road.

The boy was taken to hospital with "very serious injuries" sustained in the incident and later died, Essex Police said on Monday.

It added that a murder investigation has been launched, and said police have since arrested a 15-year-old boy and a 43-year-old man, both from the Pilgrims Hatch area.

They both remain in police custody.

In a statement on the force's website, Detective Chief Inspector Louise Metcalfe, of the Essex and Kent serious crime directorate, said officers' "first thoughts are, of course, with the family of the boy who has tragically died after this incident".

"By its very nature, this is an evolving investigation which has a number of complexities and will take some time to work through and cannot be rushed," she added.

"We're working hard to build a full picture of the circumstances around it, and I'd like to thank those who have already come forward to provide their accounts of what happened."

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Chief Inspector Terry Fisher, Brentwood district commander, also said he was "acutely aware that this incident is likely to have a significant impact in our community".

"The loss of a child is every parent's nightmare," he added, "and I would ask that this family's privacy is fully respected at this time, both in person and online."

Essex Police said Ashwells Road is likely to remain closed for the near future. Motorists have been asked to avoid the area.

(c) Sky News 2026: Two arrested on suspicion of murder after boy, 12, dies following Essex vehicle collision