Police have launched a manhunt after two prisoners escaped from a prison van in Salford, Greater Manchester, following an attack by three masked men, one of whom is believed to have carried a sawn-off shotgun. The incident occurred shortly after 9am on Tuesday, about half a mile from Manchester Crown Court and Strangeways prison.
The escaped prisoners have been identified as Ryan MacDonald, 20, who was due to be sentenced for conspiracy to commit robbery, and Stevie McMullen, 31, who was on trial for conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to commit arson and conspiracy to possess firearms. Police have released images of the pair and warned the public not to approach them.
Chief Superintendent Kevin Mulligan expressed concern about the men being on the loose, stating that McMullen in particular posed a danger if approached. He said a man and a woman had been arrested on the Ordsall estate on suspicion of involvement in the escape, but the escaped prisoners remain at large.
The prison van, operated by GEOAmey, was transporting the men from Altcourse prison near Liverpool to Manchester Crown Court. The attackers arrived in a Saab car and rammed the van before smashing its windows. After freeing the two prisoners, all five men fled in the car, which was later abandoned. Three men ran into the Ordsall estate, while the other two escaped on a motorbike, later found abandoned on Thurlough Street.
A witness described seeing three masked men in a dark green Saab drive into the side of the prison van, followed by sounds of smashing and screams. The third prisoner in the van was taken to court as scheduled and has been questioned in relation to the escape. No injuries were reported.
