The inmate was being transferred from HMP Addiewell in West Lothian to St John’s Hospital in Livingston when the incident took place.
A prisoner who was being rushed to hospital for treatment managed to “escape the ambulance” before fleeing from the scene, it has been revealed.
The inmate was being transferred from HMP Addiewell in West Lothian to St John’s Hospital in Livingston when the incident took place on August 19.
It’s understood the lag was being taken to hospital by police escort due to ‘drug use’ but managed to flee the ambulance when it arrived at the hospital.
The prisoner is believed to have been on-the-run for around an hour after he made an escape when guards attempted to change the handcuffs while the ambulance was parked at A&E.
A source told Edinburgh Live the prisoner is a serial offender with past convictions for violence.
A spokesperson for HMP Addiewell confirmed that the escapee was soon caught by police officers.
They added: “We can confirm that an incident took place on August 19 involving a prisoner under escort from HMP Addiewell.
“The incident was resolved swiftly and safely by police colleagues.
“The matter is now subject to an investigation, so we can’t comment further.”
Police Scotland have confirmed they were made aware a 31-year-old man was missing from a premises in Livingston.
Officers say he was traced shortly after.
