Naked fugitive hides in hospital ceiling

Police conduct a search for escaper Andrew Watkins. Photo / Sarah Ivey

It was an eventful day for Andrew Clive Watkins.

He fell from an apartment, was arrested, admitted to Auckland City Hospital - then hid from police in the ceiling for several hours stark naked.

The 25-year-old was hurt trying to flee police by jumping from a building in Kelston, West Auckland, after officers were called to the property following a domestic dispute.

A warrant had already been issued for Watkins for failing to appear on a charge of driving while disqualified.

The police officers took Watkins - who injured his ankle in the fall - to the emergency department at 2.30am.

Six hours later, police officers arrived to speak to him in the hospital ward. He told them he was going to have a shower.

Officers later realised he had lied and had seemingly escaped by climbing into the ceiling.

A discarded robe led police and hospital staff to believe he was naked.

The emergency department was quickly evacuated and up to 44 patients had to be moved to other wards, while others were referred to Middlemore, North Shore and Waitakere Hospitals.

Members of the public were surprised to see so many police officers.

Those who had heard about the man in the ceiling laughed at the thought of a naked man scurrying around above them.

Firemen and police officers in bullet-proof vests strode into the emergency department, as another officer with "negotiator" on her uniform arrived. But there was nothing to negotiate - they could not find their man.

Police and firemen could be seen inside the entrance to the emergency department, with a ladder into a hatch.

Shortly before midday, police rushed to a hatch outside the entrance, after members of the media heard a loud thump in the corner.

A police officer and two men stood under the hatch.

The officer told the pair: "If a guy jumps down, nail him," - before running inside for assistance.

A ladder was led into the hatch while officers called out for the man.

It would be two hours before police concluded Watkins had escaped.

He had slipped through their fingers, apparently.

Senior Sergeant Gary Barber told media: "The Fire Service and our specialist team have done a thorough check and we're very certain that he is no longer in the area.

"It is possible that in the confusion he could have jumped in and was not seen."

To which a reporter said, "But he's naked, eh?"

"Well, there's a lot of hospital gowns and bits and pieces around here so it's possible that he's no longer naked," Mr Barber said.

"All I can say is that with a degree of confidence that I don't believe that he's up on the roof."

An hour later, around 3.30pm, a naked Watkins was spotted by authorities in an area they had searched.

Hospital spokesman Mark Fenwick told the Herald several officers were needed to bring him down.

Watkins will face charges of escaping police custody and assaulting a police officer in the Waitakere District Court today.