Concern is growing for the well-being of a man who went missing from Basildon Hospital.
Keith Doolan, 43, discharged himself from the hospital after removing a drip from his arm and has not been seen since.
A police spokesman said: "Searches have proved fruitless and police are now appealing to the public for information.
"Mr Doolan was brought to the hospital by ambulance from Church Road, Benfleet, on Sunday morning and is believed to have a high level of pain killers in his system and to be depressed.
"After being admitted to undergo an assessment, he discharged himself."
Mr Doolan, whose last address was in Milton Keynes, has family in south Essex but has not seen them for several years.
He has a goatee beard, is balding and was last seen wearing a white shirt. He has distinctive tattoos on his arms - a black leopard and a red flower - and a tattoo of a dragon on his chest.
The hunt is not being linked to the discovery of a body on MoD land in Shoebury yesterday.
Published Wednesday October 30, 2002
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article