Dangerous inmate escapes prison van by faking medical emergency and overpowering police

Posted by. Posted onMarch 19, 2025 Comments0
Cooper is described as 5ft 7ins tall, of medium build with short, cropped hair, (Picture: PA; Dave Nelson)

A man has escaped from a prison van in the middle of a motorway on the way to court.

Jamie Cooper, 33, fled from the prison van which was carrying suspects to Lancaster Magistrates’ Court, on the M55 by Catforth, Preston.

He faked a medical emergency, before ‘overpowering and evading’ escort officers before escaping, contractor GEOAmey said.

Lancashire Police received a report of the escape at about 8.54am on Wednesday.

Cooper is described as 5ft 7ins tall, of medium build with short, cropped hair, and is thought to be wearing a blue coat, blue jeans and black trainers.

GEOAmey said: ‘The detained person involved in this emergency then overpowered and evaded the escort officers and escaped from the vehicle.

BEST QUALITY AVAILABLEUndated handout photo issued by Lancashire Police of Jamie Cooper, 33, who is reported to have escaped from a prison van heading to Lancaster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning. Issue date: Wednesday March 19, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Blackpool. Photo credit should read: Lancashire Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Jamie Cooper, 33, reportedly escaped from a prison van heading to Lancaster Magistrates’ Court (Picture: Lancashire Police/PA Wire)
Police on the flyover at Junction 2 Lancashire Police have launched an urgent manhunt after a 33-year-old escaped from a prison van this morning, with the public being warned to not approach him.Jamie Cooper from Blackpool The vehicle was being driven on the M55 near to junction 2Where Cooper made his escape
Police on the flyover at Junction 2 Lancashire Police have launched an urgent manhunt (Picture: Dave Nelson)

‘Lancashire Police have been informed and are currently searching for the escaped prisoner.’

Lancashire Police said: ‘We know that this may be concerning to hear about, but we want to reassure you that incidents like these are extremely rare in Lancashire and it is something we are taking incredibly seriously.

‘Searches and an investigation are ongoing, and you will see an increase in our officers in the area as they continue their inquiries.

Police at Junction 1 near preston Lancashire Police have launched an urgent manhunt after a 33-year-old escaped from a prison van this morning, with the public being warned to not approach him. Jamie Cooper from Blackpool The vehicle was being driven on the M55 near to junction 2 Where Cooper made his escape
Lancashire Police received a report of the escape at about 8.54am on Wednesday, the service said (Picture: Dave Nelson)

‘If you have any concerns, please do approach them as they are out and about.’

Cooper has links to Blackpool and Bolton.

Police have said anyone who sees Cooper should not approach him but call 999 immediately.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Category

Leave a Comment