A PRISONER who was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital for emergency treatment escaped and went on the run in Greenock, the Telegraph can reveal.

The 32-year-old inmate from HMP Greenock somehow managed to evade the guards who were accompanying him while he was attending for treatment at accident and emergency.

The shocking incident happened on Sunday afternoon, sparking a major alert and search operation.

An immediate police hunt was launched to try and find the prisoner who'd absconded.

It is understood he had been taken to hospital after sustaining injuries earlier in the Gateside jail, but he somehow managed to get away from officers and leave the premises.

The alarm was raised and the man was eventually tracked down in the west end of Greenock a number of hours later.

The Scottish Prison Service today confirmed details of the security breach, which is now being investigated.

A spokesperson for the SPS said: “I can confirm an individual escaped while on hospital escort.

"Police Scotland were notified and the individual was returned to custody within a few hours."

The disappearance was reported at around 1.50pm on Sunday.

The inmate was eventually traced to the town's Eldon Street at 4pm, meaning he had been at large for over two hours before being apprehended.

A Police Scotland spokesperson added: “Around 1.50pm on Sunday September 11, officers were called to a report of a 32-year-old man having escaped from prison officers in Greenock.

"He was traced around 4.05pm in Eldon Street and returned to custody."

A report has now been sent to the procurator fiscal in connection with the incident.

The prison service has not said if any disciplinary action is being taken by them in relation to the security lapse.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board were also contacted for a comment but they did not respond.