Police today launched an attempted murder investigation after a 13-year-old schoolboy was stabbed and left for dead at a North Yorkshire beauty spot. Ashley Murray, of Leeds Road, Harrogate, was found after he had endured 40 desolating hours at the foot of a steep hill known as Birk Crag. He had been stabbed a number of times and was suffering from hypothermia.

Police were questioning two juveniles aged between 13 and 14 in connection with the incident.

Ashley was today described as stable in Leeds General Infirmary after being moved from Harrogate District Hospital last night. His parents were at his bedside.

He was last seen playing football on playing fields by the junction of Otley Road and Plantation Road on Sunday evening.

He was found yesterday in undergrowth at the foot of the Crag, near Birkwith House - about half a mile from the playing fields.

DCI Jim Allan, of Harrogate police, said Ashley had been wearing thick clothing, but his survival had amazed officers.

He said: "I find it very difficult to comprehend that he survived that length of time without medical attention and in such conditions.

"Ashley is just a regular schoolboy who doesn't seem to have had any problems with his home or school life."

Birk Crag is described as a wild area popular with walkers and climbers. Bad weather had limited visitor numbers since Sunday.

The member of the public who found him was alerted by Ashley's cries for help at lunchtime yesterday - almost 40 hours after he disappeared. He had been reported missing on Monday morning after failing to turn up for school.

His parents had believed he was spending Sunday night with one of the friends.

Police today appealed to anyone who saw three boys in the area between 6.30pm and midnight on Sunday to contact them on 01423 539428. The weapon used to stab Ashley has not been found and inquiries are continuing in the town.

Ashley was described as being in a critical state after arriving at hospital, but is thought to be improving.

Assistant Divisional Officer Tim Ralph, of North Yorkshire fire brigade, who supervised Ashley's rescue, today spoke of finding him semi-conscious near a beck at the foot of the crag.

Firefighters and ambulance crews had to clamber down to him from the 400 metre high crag through a jumble of rocks and broken ground, he said.

He added: "It is steep, broken ground. He was lying on flat ground at the bottom, next to a stream.

"We believe he had been there since Sunday evening. He was conscious, he was able to communicate, but he was in a very, very poor state of health, suffering from hypothermia and other injuries, and it was obvious that he needed to be in hospital immediately."

Paramedics set up a drip while other men talked to Ashley about his favourite football team to comfort him. Firefighters initially thought about calling in a rescue helicopter, but eventually decided it would be quicker to carry him out to a waiting ambulance.

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