A 16-year-old boy is in a critical condition following a motorbike crash in Westcliff.
The youngster and his 17-year-old passenger were thrown from the off-road bike as they smashed into railings on London Road, Westcliff.
The driver, from Southend, suffered serious head and body injuries in the incident, which happened at the junction of Hamlet Court Road last night at 11.45pm.
He remains in Southend Hospital, where he is described as "critical" and his family are keeping a bedside vigil.
His passenger, who is also a local youngster, was this morning in a stable condition at the hospital. London Road was closed for three hours between Ceylon Road and Hamlet Court Road while traffic officers investigated the scene and cleared the wreckage.
An Essex Police spokesman said: "We are examining CCTV footage from around the area to identify why the bike collided with the railings.
"We are also waiting to speak to both boys.
"This was a serious crash which has left two young people seriously injured and we would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident."
The vehicle was a green 125cc Kawasaki trial bike and was travelling towards London.
Police are appealing for witnesses to call the Rayleigh road policing unit on 01268 775533.
Published Monday, April 28, 2003
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