Canada prisoners in daring helicopter escape

Two inmates have made a daring escape from a prison in Canada by climbing up a rope into a hovering helicopter.

Officials at the St-Jerome prison, near Montreal, said the inmates fled at about 14:20 (18:20 GMT) on Sunday, triggering a massive manhunt.

Police later said they arrested one of the prisoners and two other men. They also surrounded the area whey they believe the second escapee is hiding.

The helicopter was also found, and the pilot is now being questioned.

'Ready to die'

The two inmates were identified as Benjamin Hudon-Barbeau, 36, and Danny Provencal, 33.

Both were reportedly injured during the escape from the prison, about 60km (40 miles) north-west of Montreal.

Before Hudon-Barbeau was re-arrested, he reportedly called local media outlets saying he was "ready to die".

Police said much of the action took place in the town of Chertsey.

They added that the area were the second suspect was thought to be hiding was now surrounded.

"We're hot on the trail of the one (inmate) that's missing," police spokesman Sgt Benoit Richard was quoted as saying by The Globe and Mail newspaper.

The helicopter - which was found some 85km away from the prison - was reportedly hijacked from a tour company.

The 480-prisoner St-Jerome facility was a scene of a small riot last month. Police had to use pepper spray to quell inmates.

BBC