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Tributes paid after children killed in hit-and-run

Owen Ward/BBC A police cordon on a road. There is a hard frost shown on one side of the roadOwen Ward/BBC
Essex Police said the vehicle involved failed to stop at the scene

Two people have been arrested after a 16-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl were killed in a hit-and-run crash in Essex.

The collision happened in Ashlyns, Pitsea, near Basildon, at about 18:25 GMT on Saturday.

Essex Police said the car failed to stop at the scene.

A man and a woman, both in their 20s, have since been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident and were taken into custody.

The force said emergency services were sent to the scene, but they could not save the children.

Police appealed for information, particularly CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage.

Det Sgt Sam Nason, leading the investigation, urged people not to speculate and thanked the members of the public who tried to save the children's lives.

"Specialist officers are supporting the loved ones of the two children who sadly died yesterday.

"My team is working tirelessly to give them the answers they need about what happened.

"At this stage we are not providing any more information about the boy and girl who have died and I would ask that their privacy, and that of their loved ones, is respected."

Sam Read/BBC Bunches of flowers are lying on grass at the side of the road. Some have messages written on themSam Read/BBC
Bunches of flowers and messages have been left at the scene

About 20 members of the local community, including children, gathered together on Sunday and left floral tributes at the junction between Ashlyns and Walthams.

One card left by a member of staff at a local school read: "I'm so sorry that you have both been taken away, far too young.

"My thoughts and prayers are with everyone that had the joy to know you both, especially your family."

Another read: "You were both taken too soon.

"You will never be forgotten."

Sam Read/BBC Two marked police cars are parked on a residential road. There are houses in the background and a green area at the frontSam Read/BBC
Police remained in the area on Sunday

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said: "My thoughts are with the friends and family of the girl and boy who have died this evening.

"Specialist officers are supporting them at this truly unimaginably difficult time.

"Our officers will be carrying out inquiries in the area this evening to establish the circumstances which led up to the collision so if you saw anything or have any information please get in contact."

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