Forest Bank issues statement after prisoner escapes 'in handcuffs' while at Salford Royal Hospital

HMP Forest Bank has issued a statement after a prisoner escaped 'in handcuffs' after receiving treatment at Salford Royal Hospital.

A major search is underway after the prisoner, whose identity is yet to be revealed by police, went on the run while under escort at hospital site on Stott Lane on Monday (October 7).

A police helicopter was circling the area, near to the De La Salle playing fields, throughout Monday afternoon, with officers also seen in attendance along nearby Lancaster Road and Wilton Road carrying out enquiries.

READ MORE Woman, 60, dies after being hit by 'number of vehicles' on M56 motorway

Police were also seen carrying out on foot searches around Sale Water Park - around six miles away from the hospital - understood to be part of the efforts to trace the absconded prisoner.

Forest Bank Prison, a Category B men's private prison in Pendlebury, said they were 'aware of the incident' involving a prisoner who was 'under escort' at the local hospital, but denied to comment further.

An HMP Forest Bank spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident involving an HMP Forest Bank prisoner who was under escort at a local hospital. We are working closely with Greater Manchester Police and cannot comment further at this time.”

The Manchester Evening News has contacted Greater Manchester Police about the incident. The force has not yet provided any details.

A resident living closeby to Salford Royal Hospital said they first heard the helicopter at around 1pm but 'thought nothing of it' initially.

They claimed a neighbour informed them police had been knocking on doors nearby and disclosed that a prisoner had fled the hospital 'in a grey top and handcuffs'.

"We hear things all the time with the hospital being on the doorstep and the motorway nearby," they said. "It was only when I went outside at about 2.45 and a neighbour said the police had spoken to them and asked them if they had seen anything, as a prisoner had escaped wearing a grey top and still in handcuffs.

"There were police cars and and motorbikes everywhere and they were checking all the roads near Wilton Road and then checking the field at De La Salle.

"They were walking round the back of the building on the playing fields obviously looking for him. It's gone quieter now but we've not been told if the prisoner has been found or not."