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Police have launched a major investigation to find a boy with a brain tumour, taken without consent from hospital by his parents.

Hampshire Constabulary said "there are serious concerns" for the life of Ashya King as he needs constant medical care.

Officers said his parents - Brett King, 51, and Naghemeh King, 45, - boarded a cross-Channel ferry from Portsmouth to Cherbourg at 4pm yesterday.


Ashya King needs constant medical attention, police say

The parents went with Ashya's six siblings, officers said.

Police said Ashya was taken from Southampton General Hospital at around 2pm yesterday by his family, who live in St David's Road, Southsea, Portsmouth.

CCTV images captured the moment the boy was wheeled out of the hospital, apparently by his father.


Hampshire Police have launched a social media campaign to find Ashya

Ashya is still likely to be in a wheelchair or buggy, he cannot communicate verbally and is immobile, a police spokesman said.

The family are travelling in a grey-coloured Hyundai I800 Style CRDI, registration KP60 HWK, and they are still believed to be in France.

Police said they arrived in France at 8pm local time last night.


Mother Naghemeh King is believed to be in France

Hampshire Constabulary said: "We are working with our counterparts in France to activate their emergency child rescue alert procedures to locate the family as soon as possible.

"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.


Father Brett King is thought to have taken the boy from hospital

"Without this specialist 24-hour care Ashya is at risk of additional health complications which place him at substantial risk."

Detective Superintendent Dick Pearson, of the Hampshire Major Investigation Team, said: "He needs to be taken to a medical facility for his urgent health requirements as soon as he is located.

"We have also launched a social media appeal and would urge everyone to share this appeal, particularly if you have friends and relatives in France and bordering countries."

Anyone with information about Ashya's whereabouts should contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101, quoting Operation Aquilion.

Source: Sky News