Mob of teenagers beat boy unconscious in park ... then take pictures of him on mobiles

Witnesses to the attack have described how about 50 youngsters surrounded the boy as he was repeatedly punched and kicked.

Police officers rushed to the scene to find the boy unconscious and bleeding.

It is thought several teenagers used their mobile phones to take pictures of their victim as he lay slumped on the ground, in an action reminiscent of the so-called 'happy slapping' incidents that have hit headlines over the past three years.

The park attack has grim echoes of 'happy slapping' incidents like this one, posed by models

One woman said: 'It is shocking for this to happen, and in broad daylight. The kid was obviously in a bad way.

'There were four paramedics working on his head for about 15 minutes before he was taken away on a stretcher.

'I think there was blood coming from his ears and there was a distraught woman looking over him, shaking.'

The gruesome attack in the park in Rainham, Kent, at 1.30pm on Wednesday was also heard by children in a school playground and seen by some pupils who were being taken out of school for an end-of-term treat.

A woman whose grandson attends nearby Parkwood Junior School said: 'He heard screaming coming from the park while he was in the playground.

'It's not the sort of thing you want your grandson to hear.'

The victim was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, Kent, but was later transferred to an intensive care unit at a specialist London hospital, where his condition was described today as serious.

Two boys, aged 13 and 14, have been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

Detective Inspector Mike Morgan said: 'We are aware there were lots of people in the area at the time the incident occurred.

'If anyone witnessed anything they feel may be useful to our investigation, please get in touch with detectives.'

Anyone with information should call 01634 792524.