POLICE on the Isle of Wight have linked a car found abandoned at the cliff edge at Shanklin with a missing vulnerable London man who sparked a major search.
The search was launched for 38-year-old Khalil-Ur Rahman, also known as Melroy Robinson, who was reported missing from Lewisham Hospital in London earlier last week.
After he was seen on the Isle of Wight a major search involved a police spotter helicopter.
Officers were called by a member of the public at 7.15am on Sunday to the cliffs near Howard Road at Shanklin where they discovered the car.
The inquiries formed part of a search for Mr Rahman, who was found by police at Ryde Esplanade on Sunday afternoon.
Police had issued an urgent appeal for information about the whereabouts of Mr Rahman, who was said to have a life-threatening medical condition which needed treatment.
Police duty Inspector Terry Clawson said: "Mr Rahman’s behaviour was known to be unpredictable because of his vulnerable condition.
"A man matching Mr Rahman’s description was believed to have assaulted a female police officer in Landguard Road in Shanklin on Sunday morning when she attempted to check his welfare and identity.
"The officer received minor injuries."
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk