Hunt continues for escaped prisoner

Wipei Awatere is a remand prisoner at Rimutaka Prison. Photo / Ross Setford

The hunt is continuing tonight for a prisoner who escaped from hospital on Friday night.

Police were searching for Wipei Awatere, 29, who escaped from the custody of two Correction Department officers.

Awatere, a remand prisoner at Rimutaka, escaped from Hutt Hospital, a department spokesman said.

It was believed Awatere may have told officers he had swallowed razor blades as a ruse to be sent to hospital.

The department would conduct a review of how prisoners were managed in hospital, the spokesman said.

A police spokesman said Awatere was no specific risk to the public, but should not be approached.