Prisoner on the run after escaping van and ‘faking medical emergency’

An inmate is on the run after escaping from a prison[1] van on a motorway on the way to court on Wednesday, police said. Jamie Cooper, 33, absconded from the vehicle, which was carrying prisoners to Lancaster Magistrates' Court[2], on the M55 near junction two by Catforth, Preston. Lancashire Police[3] received a report of the escape at about 8.54am on Wednesday, March 19.

Cooper is said to have faked a medical emergency before overpowering guards on the van.

The van pulled over to deal with an "on-board medical emergency".