Parents’ delight as boy, six, is found safe after nine-hour police and helicopter search

Parents’ delight as boy, six, who disappeared at motorway service station is found safe after nine-hour police and helicopter search

  • Aadil Umair Rahim, six, was found safe overnight after sparking a mass search
  • The boy went missing around 7.15pm from Newport Pagnell Services last night
  • Thames Valley Police said many officers and a helicopter were involved in search
  • His father thanked those who helped, saying ‘more than 1,000’ looked for him

A six-year-old boy who disappeared at a motorway service station has been found safe after a nine-hour police and helicopter search overnight.

Aadil Umair Rahim disappeared at Newport Pagnell Services, Milton Keynes, on the M1 motorway on Friday evening, reportedly while on a school trip from Nottingham to London.

Thames Valley Police began a search at around 7.15pm and announced Aadil had been found nine hours later, shortly after 4am on Saturday.

Aadil Umair Rahim, who was believed to be on a school trip, has been found safe after sparking a mass search, involving a ‘large number of officers’ and a police helicopter

A CCTV image of Aadil from when he was at the service station earlier, which was circulated by police. He was wearing a green jumper, a grey long top, grey trousers and a white skull cap

A CCTV image of Aadil from when he was at the service station earlier, which was circulated by police. He was wearing a green jumper, a grey long top, grey trousers and a white skull cap 

The force said a large number of officers were involved in the search, as well as a helicopter from the National Police Air Service.

After Aadil was found, his father Umair Rahim wrote: ‘My son has arrived and he is safe now. Thanks for the prayers. Shukar to Allah.

‘Thank to Thames Valley Police helicopter services fire department and safe and rescue department who worked tirelessly for 9 hours and found him safe.

‘There was more than 1,000 people looking for him I’m thankful to everyone.’

Emergency services pictured during the major search that took place last night. The six-year-old was found safe and well overnight after going missing from Newport Pagnell Services

Emergency services pictured during the major search that took place last night. The six-year-old was found safe and well overnight after going missing from Newport Pagnell Services

Police have located the missing boy who wandered away from the service station. He was located by a police helicopter and picked up by officers on the ground

Police have located the missing boy who wandered away from the service station. He was located by a police helicopter and picked up by officers on the ground 

Search and rescue volunteers explore the surrounding area. After being found his father, Umair Rahim, thanked the 'local community' and police for helping in the search

Search and rescue volunteers explore the surrounding area. After being found his father, Umair Rahim, thanked the ‘local community’ and police for helping in the search

Thames Valley Police Superintendent Amy Clements thanked the officers and members of the public involved in the overnight search.

She said: ‘This was a very difficult operation involving a very young boy and we are relieved to say that Aadil has been found safe and well. 

‘I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the local community, who immediately offered help in trying to find Aadil.’

Emergency services during the search. When he went missing, the six-year-old was believed to be on a school trip when they made a stop at the service station

Emergency services during the search. When he went missing, the six-year-old was believed to be on a school trip when they made a stop at the service station

Bucks Search and Rescue, a volunteer organisation, helping in the search. Thames Valley Police Superintendent Amy Clements thanked the officers and members of public involved

Bucks Search and Rescue, a volunteer organisation, helping in the search. Thames Valley Police Superintendent Amy Clements thanked the officers and members of public involved

When he went missing, the six-year-old was believed to be on a school trip when they made a stop at the service station, according to social media reports. 

He was wearing a green jumper, a grey long top, grey baggy trousers and a white skull cap.

Khalil Rafiq told the Mirror Online that his son was on the same trip and had been visiting the Museum of London.  

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter helped in the search. 

A CCTV image of Aadil from when he was at the service station was also circulated by police.  

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