Family pleads to find 'gorgeous' missing Sydney schoolboy separated from injured mother in Barcelona
A Sydney father is making a desperate dash to Spain where his wife remains in hospital while his young son is missing without a trace after a deadly terror attack in Barcelona.
With his father Andrew Cadman not expected to arrive in the country late Saturday night Sydney time, family and friends of a seven-year-old Julian Cadman are pleading with people worldwide on social media to help find the "gorgeous" little boy.
Julian became separated from his seriously injured mother Jomarie “Jom” Cadman when a van rammed trough a crowd of pedestrians in Barcelona's busy Las Ramblas Boulevard, followed by another incident in the nearby seaside town of Cambrils, killing 14 in total and injuring more than 100.
The mother and son were in Spain for a wedding this weekend when they became separated.
She is recovering from surgery that treated a broken leg but doctors at the hospital are considering another a round of surgery for the mother to treat her severe facial injuries.
The mother is still seeking news on the whereabouts of her son.
Jom’s father-in-law, Tony Cadman, said the mother was in hospital, believed to be in an induced coma, but his grandson remained missing.
"My Grandson, Julian Alessandro Cadman is missing. Please like and share," Tony wrote on Facebook Friday afternoon.
"We have found Jom [my daughter in law] and she is serious but stable condition in hospital.
"Julian is seven years old and was out with Jom when they were separated, due to the recent terrorist activity," he wrote.
British Prime Minister Theresa May said the UK is urgently looking into reports a child with dual nationality, believed to be Julian, is missing, the BBC reports.
Mr Cadman is understood to be British, and Julian – a student at St Bernadette's Primary in Lalor Park – may have dual citizenship by descent, according to media reports.
He was reportedly born and raised in Kent, UK, but moved to Sydney with his family three years ago.
The boy's concerned aunt Maricar Querimit Estera, posted onto Facebook saying "pray for my nephew who [is] still missing in Barcelona attack... your family [is] waiting for you".
Another aunt, Norma Canaveral, who Julian called "granny" described the little boy as "gorgeous" and told how he enjoyed playing with her grandson.
"We are so worried. I am just waiting for news, hoping for good news," she told BBC.
Family friend, Sarah Auzner, wrote "we are beside ourselves with worry. Please, please share his picture so he can be with his family."
A friend, who only identified himself as Scott, told Sydney radio 2GB Ms Cadman's husband Andrew was distraught after waking to news of the attack on Friday.
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"They were over there for a wedding for this weekend. My mate stayed here and he's just beside himself," he said.
Scott said Mr Cadman was flying to Spain on Friday night, not knowing his son's fate.
Another Sydney woman, Suria Intan, who was on the last few days of a European holiday with friends, is also in a serious condition in hospital.
Ms Intan, a Commonwealth Bank worker who is heavily involved with the Hillsong Church, was also seriously injured in the attack.
A Hillsong Church spokesperson told AAP its church in Barcelona is supporting her and her family.
"Our prayers are with Suria and all others affected by this tragedy," the spokesperson said.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said four Australians were injured in the attack targeting tourists in the Spanish city's Las Ramblas district.
Two Victorian men were hit by the van driven into crowds on a busy promenade, but had been released from hospital.
At least 100 people were injured in the attack claimed by Islamic State, while Ms Bishop said Catalonian authorities put the death toll at 16.
There are no reports any Australians were caught up in two connected attacks in the Spanish towns of Cambrils and Alcanar, both south of Barcelona.
