A prisoner from Spring Hill Corrections Facility is being sought by police after escaping from custody at Waikato Hospital this afternoon.
The remand prisoner “absconded from Corrections staff while on a hospital visit” around 1.30pm, Spring Hill Corrections Facility general manager Scott Walker told 1News in a statement.
“He was handcuffed and wearing a GPS monitor at the time.”
Walker said police “were informed immediately and are actively searching for them”.
“Public safety is our top priority. Any escape is unacceptable and an immediate review into how this incident occurred will be carried out.”
A police spokesperson confirmed to 1News police officers “are actively searching for the individual”.
“We ask anyone in the immediate surrounding areas who has seen anything suspicious to please call police immediately on 111.”
Today’s escape comes a month after a previous incident at Waikato Hospital in which a prisoner allegedly assaulted Corrections staff and carjacked a vehicle before going on the run.
