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Police search for boy taken from Southampton hospital ward Police search for boy taken from Southampton hospital ward
(35 minutes later)
Police have launched a "major investigation" to find a five-year-old boy with a brain tumour, who was taken without consent from Southampton General Hospital by his parents. A five-year-old boy with a brain tumour has been taken without consent from hospital by his parents, sparking a major police hunt for the family.
Hampshire Constabulary said Ashya King needs constant medical care and there are "serious concerns" for his life. Ashya King was taken from Southampton General Hospital and is now believed to be in France with his parents and six siblings.
It is believed his parents boarded a cross-Channel ferry from Portsmouth to Cherbourg at 16:00 BST on Thursday. Police said he needs constant medical care and there are "serious concerns" for his life if he is not found today.
Police said he cannot communicate verbally and is immobile. Brett King, 51, and Naghemeh King, 45 removed him from the ward on Thursday.
They said he is likely to be in a wheelchair or buggy and there are "serious concerns for his life" if he is not found today. It is believed they boarded a cross-Channel ferry from Portsmouth to Cherbourg at 16:00 BST and arrived at 20:00.
It is believed Ashya, who recently had surgery, is still in France with his parents and six siblings after arriving there at 20:00 local time last night. Police said Ashya, who recently had surgery, cannot communicate verbally and is immobile. He is likely to be in a wheelchair or buggy.
He was removed from the hospital by his parents, 51-year-old Brett King and 45-year-old Naghemeh King, at 14:00 BST on Thursday. An image of Ashya being wheeled out of the hospital by his father has been released by police.
Police are working with counterparts in France to activate their emergency child rescue alert procedures to find the family as soon as possible. The force said it was working with police in France to activate emergency child rescue alert procedures.
They were travelling in a grey coloured Hyundai I800 Style CRDI, registration KP60 HWK. The family, from Southsea, Portsmouth, were travelling in a grey coloured Hyundai I800 Style CRDI, registration KP60 HWK.
Det Supt Dick Pearson, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: "If we do not locate Ashya today there are serious concerns for his life.Det Supt Dick Pearson, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: "If we do not locate Ashya today there are serious concerns for his life.
"He is receiving constant medical care within the UK due to recent surgery and ongoing medical issues. Without this specialist 24 hour care, Ashya is at risk of additional health complications which place him at substantial risk. "He is receiving constant medical care within the UK due to recent surgery and ongoing medical issues. Without this specialist 24 hour care, Ashya is at risk of additional health complications which place him at substantial risk.
"He needs to be taken to a medical facility for his urgent health requirements as soon as he is located.""He needs to be taken to a medical facility for his urgent health requirements as soon as he is located."
Police have launched a social media appeal and are urging people to share it, particularly with friends or relatives in France and bordering countries.Police have launched a social media appeal and are urging people to share it, particularly with friends or relatives in France and bordering countries.