Search as man flees secure hospital

A MAN convicted of assault is on the run after escaping from a secure psychiatric hospital while on “escorted leave” in Doncaster.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jun 2014, 01:34 BST

Gary Clark got away from staff at Cheswold Park Hospital yesterday morning, a month after another mental health patient fled in virtually identical circumstances from the same facility.

David Burslam, who previously kidnapped a bank manager hours after being released from a secure unit, escaped during escorted leave in Doncaster town centre on May 22. The 49-year-old was found safe and well the next day.

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Speaking about the latest incident, South Yorkshire Police said Clark, originally from Leeds, who was convicted of assault in 2013 and made subject to a hospital order, “was on an accompanied visit into Doncaster town centre when he escaped from staff”.

A spokeswoman advised people not to approach him and said: “He was last seen heading towards North Bridge, in the town centre, on foot. He is about 5ft 9in and of a medium build. He has a shaved head and, when he was last seen, he was wearing a grey tracksuit.”

The hospital said all efforts were made to reduce the likelihood of patients getting away from their escorting staff, but said that on “rare occasions this will happen”.