Police are on the hunt for a prisoner who was being treated at Wanganui Hospital's medical ward when he overpowered two Corrections officers and fled on Thursday night.
Kenneth John Burns, 34, a remand prisoner facing dishonesty offences, had been at the hospital since December 2.
Police used a dog to track him but with no success. They have warned the public not to approach him but to contact police if they see him.
Whanganui District Health Board chief executive Julie Patterson said at yesterday's board meeting that Burns escaped custody about 8pm and staff took immediate action and made sure no staff or patients were in any danger.
She said there was "no threat to anybody".