Police seek British couple after son allegedly left in camper van

South Iceland police are searching for a British couple who allegedly left their five-year-old son alone in a vehicle at a car park near Eldgjá in Skaftártunguafrétti on Saturday, mbl.is reports.

Police received information about the incident on Sunday and are working to locate the couple before they leave Iceland, said Íris Edda Heimisdóttir, chief superintendent with South Iceland police. Officers have obtained information from the rental company.

An Icelandic woman said in a Facebook post that she found the foreign child crying at the car park. She took him into her own vehicle and managed to calm him down.

When the boy’s parents returned from a hike, his father allegedly said they often left him alone without problems. The couple then drove away.

The woman photographed their rental vehicle, which is believed to be a camper van rented from CampEasy.

Police are investigating the case as a violation of child protection legislation and are treating it seriously. South Iceland police are working with other police departments because the couple may be able to travel quickly between locations in the camper van.