Luton lorry: Police scramble as people jump from vehicle by airport day after Essex horror
POLICE in Luton have detained two people after a group was seen jumping from the back of a lorry near Luton Airport.
Essex: Police attend scene where 39 found dead in lorry
Witnesses said a group of young males lept from the back of a lorry near Luton Airport Parkway on Kimpton Road. Police confirmed they had arrested two people after being called to reports of immigration offences. An investigation is underway.
The witness said: “The lorry driver had no idea they were in there.
"They just stood next to the lorry. Bedfordshire Police are there now. There's two officers and a van.
"It happened about half ten, 11 o clock, and it looked like the lorry was Austrian.
"Police have detained them now on site. You'd be lucky if any of them were 16. They were very young.
"It looks like they've handed themselves in.
"This is not a very good situation. We don't want another tragedy."
A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said: "We were called to Kimpton Road at approximately 10.30am to reports of immigration offences. Two people have been detained in custody and an investigation is on-ongoing."
The news of the theft comes after 39 bodies were found in a separate lorry in Essex on Wednesday morning.
JUST IN: Lorry tragedy: Horrifying conditions inside container where 39 died
The lorry was found in the Waterglade Industrial Park, Eastern Avenue, Grays.
Essex Police confirmed that officers had been called shortly before 1.40am that morning.
All of the 39 people in the lorry was pronounced dead on the scene.
A suspect was arrested following the discovery.
DON'T MISS
WATCH live aerial footage of Essex lorry where 39 dead bodies found [Video]
Thirty-nine people found dead in a Bulgarian lorry in Thurrock [Latest]
Colchester murder: Police launch triple murder investigation [Latest]
Speaking at the scene, Chief Superintendent, Andrew Mariner said: "This is a tragic incident where a large number of people have lost their lives.
Our enquiries are ongoing to establish what has happened.
”We are in the process of identifying the victims, however, I anticipate that this could be a lengthy process.
"We believe the lorry is from Bulgaria and entered the country at Holyhead on Saturday 19 October and we are working closely with our partners to investigate."
Essex: Lorry passes through Grays on CCTV
He continued: "We have arrested the lorry driver in connection with the incident who remains in police custody as our enquiries continue.
“I appreciate this cordon is going to disrupt the activity of local businesses in the area and we will work to ensure that disruption is kept as short as possible.
“We are working with Thurrock Council to mitigate against any impact our investigation scene will have locally."
Also speaking on Wednesday, deputy chief constable, Pippa Mills confirmed that police were unable to identify the bodies.
She said: "Please appreciate we are in the early stages of what is likely to be a lengthy investigation.
"I'm unable to say at this stage how long the cordon will be in place."