A wanted man who was arrested by police on Wednesday evening escaped from Whiston Hospital while still in handcuffs. Anthony McCall, 39, of no fixed address, was detained after a car chase ended in a crash near junction six of the M62, but fled on foot from the hospital where he had been taken for assessment.
Merseyside Police had issued an appeal on October 28 to find McCall, who was wanted on a prison recall after breaching his licensing conditions. In 2024, the ECHO reported that McCall had been jailed for five years and four months after admitting a series of firearms offences following an incident in which he accidentally shot himself in the face.
Arrest and Escape
In a press release issued just after 5.30pm on Wednesday, police said McCall had been arrested and would be sent back to prison. However, it later emerged that he escaped again that evening.
Shortly before 4pm, officers saw a red Ford Focus on Mill Lane and attempted to stop the vehicle after the driver was seen not wearing a seatbelt. The car was driven away, and patrols followed it to the roundabout at junction six of the M62, where the three men in the car were detained after the vehicle crashed into another car.
Detentions at the Scene
A 21-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and theft of a motor vehicle, and a 24-year-old man from St Helens was arrested on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle. They were taken into custody for questioning.
McCall, the third man, was detained at the scene and taken to Whiston Hospital to be assessed. While there, he escaped the custody of officers while handcuffed and fled on foot.
Police Appeal and Investigation
A police spokesperson said an internal investigation into how he escaped is underway while extensive enquiries are currently ongoing to track him down.
McCall is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, of medium build, with short, fair hair and blue eyes. He speaks with a Liverpool accent and has links to the St Helens and Liverpool areas.
Superintendent Geoff Stewart said: "We understand the concern this incident will cause, and it is vital the public can see McCall's face so they can report any sightings and help us bring him back into custody as soon as possible.
"We are appealing for anyone who has seen or heard from him to please do the right thing and come forward.
"If you assist him in any way, you will bring police to your own door, so it is not an association worth keeping.
"We are carrying out extensive enquiries to find him with patrols on foot and CCTV enquiries being made in the area so that we can return him to custody."
Anyone who sees McCall should call 999 immediately. Information can also be passed on via 101 or by messaging @MerPolCC on social media with reference 26000886534. Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.
