Six rushed to hospital after being found inside lorry at British port

16 February 2024 , 13:27

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The scene in Newhaven, East Sussex, this morning (Image: EDDIE MITCHELL/DAN JESSUP)

Six people have been rushed to hospital after being discovered in the back of a freezer lorry at a ferry port, as two arrests were made.

They were discovered behind a false wall during a cross-Channel ferry ride from France, it is claimed.

Border Force and police descended on the scene in Newhaven, East Sussex, amid a huge emergency response. A number of ambulances were also dispatched.

Sussex Police said six people were taken to hospital. A statement read: “We are supporting Border Force, who are the lead agency, and other emergency services after a number of people were found on a lorry on a boat in Newhaven Port.

"A man has been arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry to the UK, and a second man has been arrested for illegally entering the UK. The ambulance service has taken six people to hospital for treatment."

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Police, Border Force and ambulance crews are at the scene (EDDIE MITCHELL/DAN JESSUP)

The discovery was made on Friday at around 9.30am. The current status of those found in the back of the lorry is unknown but the Home Office confirmed to the Mirror no one has died in the incident.

One man, who did not want to be named, said: “The migrants appeared to have been lying down in the van, hidden by a false wall. It was only a small space so they must have been practically lying on top of each other".

A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 9.40am this morning to an incident at Newhaven Ferry Port. A range of ambulance resources have attended, including our HART team, alongside other emergency service partners. We will not be providing further details at this time.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Border Force are supporting emergency services in response to an incident at Newhaven Ferry Port. While the incident is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Dan Warburton