Urgent search for missing man last seen at Cumberland Hospital
A man’s disappearance from a Sydney mental health hospital has prompted an emergency police search.
NSW Police said 25-year-old Madan Pandey was last seen leaving a medical facility in Hainsworth Street, Westmead, at around 9.30am on Saturday.
He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt and black shorts.
When Mr. Pandey could not be found, a search was launched by the police.
The patient was taking approved leave from the hospital and did not return at the scheduled time, ABC reported.
Mr. Pandey is described as being of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean descent, with short black hair, a thick beard and moustache.
He is known to frequent the Merrylands area.
This follows two fatal incidents in Sydney in recent weeks, allegedly involving escapees from the same mental health centre.
It is not alleged that Mr. Pandey committed any crime.
Police allege Luke Peter Francis, 31, punched a 25-year-old man at a gas station in Hurstville around 10.20am on February 14, then stole the man’s red car and drove away.
He had allegedly led police on a pursuit into south-west Sydney before being called off about 40 minutes before the double-fatal crash.
Lee Casuscelli, 60, and his passenger Maureen Crosland, 84, were driving an Alpha Romeo when the red car hit them.
Mr Francis has since been charged with 11 offences; these were two counts each of dangerous driving causing death and aggravated dangerous driving causing death.
He was also charged with careless driving, dangerous driving during a police pursuit, failure to stop and help after being hit by a vehicle causing death, negligent driving causing death, driving without a license, failure to stop at a red light, and assault with intent to buy/drive a motor vehicle.
A spokesperson for the Western Sydney Local Health District told NewsWire that Mr Francis allegedly escaped from Cumberland Hospital on February 8.
“A consumer forcibly took an access card from a staff member and used it to escape the ward at Cumberland Hospital,” the spokesperson said.
A few days later on February 17, 25-year-old Setefano Mooniai Leaaetoa was charged for allegedly killing 38-year-old Amammuddin Sadar and seriously wounding 47-year-old Ambika Sharma and 21-year-old Emre Sen at a mini market in Merrylands.
On Tuesday, NSW health officials said Mr Leaaetoa escaped care while being transferred between Cumberland Hospital and Westmead Hospital seven to 10 days before the fatal stabbing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
NewsWire has contacted the Western Sydney Local Health District for further comment.
