Teenage boy dies following emergency at south Essex park

Police respond to incident at Great Wakering Recreation Ground

Author: Katy WhitePublished 19th Feb 2026

A teenage boy was pronounced dead after emergency services attended a park in south Essex on Wednesday morning.

The incident occurred at Great Wakering Recreation Ground, near Southend-on-Sea.

Essex Police confirmed the boy's death, describing it as unexpected but not suspicious.

His family has been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A file is being prepared for the coroner, according to police.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "We were called to reports of a medical emergency close to Great Wakering Recreation Ground in the early hours of Wednesday 18 February. A teenage boy was, sadly, pronounced dead at the scene.

His family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. We are treating this death as unexpected but not suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."

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