Hamilton police are on the hunt for an escaped prisoner and two armed suspects who allegedly assisted in the getaway.
Authorities say the prisoner managed to escape from Hamilton General Hospital Tuesday afternoon after being escorted there earlier in the day by two guards in a Ministry of Corrections vehicle.
The prisoner and the guards were leaving the medical facility when they were met with two gun-toting men wearing surgical masks just before noon.
The guards were forced to the ground and the suspects and the prisoner were able to escape using the Ministry of Corrections van.
The van sped out of the hospital parking lot, hitting an ambulance on its way. The driver of the ambulance was not injured.
Police found the prison vehicle dumped blocks away from the hospital a short time later. Authorities believe the three men then fled in a silver Hyundai Tiburon.
The car was last seen heading east on Birge Street towards Wentworth Street.
The prisoner has been identified as 25-year-old Fawad Ahmed Nouri. The 6'1", 163-pound man was wearing an orange jumpsuit and was shackled at the time of the escape.
He was being held in custody at the Hamilton/Wentworth Detention Centre awaiting trial on numerous charges, including forced confinement and armed robbery.
The charges stem from a hold-up at a Tim Hortons on Upper James Street earlier this year.
Nouri was at the hospital for a follup appointment. Police say prisoners are not told an exact time or day when they will be taken to the hospital.
Police are warning the public to call 911 but not to approach the men as they are considered armed and dangerous.
Investigators have a vague description of the alleged accomplices but believe they are of Middle-Eastern background. Both men wore surgical masks and were carrying black handguns.
With a report from CTV Toronto's John Musselman
