A witness said he was wandering around the hospital in his underwear, without handcuffs, in the minutes before he escaped through a window and descended the pipe in a daring bid for freedom.
The prisoner was on remand at Spring Hill Corrections Facility and is not considered an immediate risk to the public, but police have still warned people against approaching him.
A chase ensued, leading police from Hamilton to Te Awamutu and Leamington. The Eagle helicopter was called in, the vehicle he was driving was spiked and he was taken back into custody.
Chloe Mather, who was involved in the incident on November 22, told the Herald she had been waiting to enter a hospital carpark building when a shirtless man approached her.
She claimed he threatened her before she stepped out of her car, and he sped off with the vehicle.
Mather alleged the man then stole petrol and could be seen on a service station forecourt wearing her jersey which she left in the car.
Chloe Mather alleges a prisoner who escaped custody from Waikato Hospital on November 22 carjacked her vehicle and stole petrol before police spiked the car's tyres. Photo / Supplied by Chloe Mather
She said she was disappointed another prisoner had now escaped.
“I’m sure it’s happened a few times before, but for it to happen so soon after the last time I just feel disappointed and shocked.”
Mather wanted Corrections to take a closer look at how prisoners are managed in and out of the hospital.
Spring Hill Corrections Facility general manager Scott Walker said he fully acknowledged incidents like this could be upsetting.
“I am incredibly sorry for any distress caused.”
Reviews were under way into both incidents, he said.
“We will be looking at what changes can be made to operational processes in light of the findings when they have been completed.
“Any escape is unacceptable and we are absolutely committed to learning from the reviews and doing everything we can to prevent a similar event from ever occurring again.”
A 25-year-old man was arrested in relation to the incident Mather was involved in.
He is facing four charges of attempted unlawful taking of a motor vehicle.
The man is also charged with robbery by assault, dangerous driving, failing to stop, assault with the intent to injure, aggravated assault, aggravated wounding and escaping custody, a police spokesman confirmed.
He has been remanded in custody and will next appear in Hamilton District Court in February.
Georgina Campbell is a Wellington-based reporter who has a particular interest in local government, transport, and seismic issues. She joined the Herald in 2019 after working as a broadcast journalist.
