Great Western Hospital: Update after escaped convict sparks incident

The wanted man had been in the custody of police officers at the hospital in Swindon, following his discharge, when he reportedly absconded on the evening of Monday, July 15.

Police swarmed the area, with a drone and dog units deployed alongside around a dozen police vehicles, to locate the suspect.

A 24-year-old man was subsequently arrested at Coate Water on suspicion of assault on an emergency worker and escape from lawful custody.

At the time of writing, police had not charged him with any offences, and he remained in custody.

Officers have since revealed the suspect was initially arrested on prison recall, after being stopped on suspicion of driving offences.

READ MORE: Police searched hospital lake area after suspect escaped

Police near the entrance to Great Western Hospital (Image: Newsquest)

A spokesperson for the force said: “The suspect remains in police custody and has yet to be charged.

“He was originally arrested on prison recall, having been shown as a wanted person, after being stopped on suspicion of driving a car without insurance.”

The Adver’s reporter at the scene witnessed the moment police arrested a suspect after combing the area around Great Western Hospital.

At around 5.40pm, shouts were heard coming from the corner of the lake, near the staff parking area on Waterside Way.

Moments later, several officers were seen transporting a man with black hair, wearing black joggers and a grey-brown top, to a police van.

The van left the scene with the man and by around 6pm the remaining officers had departed.

Police near Great Western Hospital (Image: Newsquest)

Before a suspect was located, they had stood guard at various locations around the lake while dog units searched shrubs, trees, and foliage in the area.

Part of the A4259 Marlborough Road carriageway heading towards Coate also was coned off during the incident, to allow police to park their vehicles on the approach to the hospital car park.

Later that evening, police confirmed the reason for their presence at the hospital had been to search the area for the escaped suspect.

A spokesperson added: “The man briefly escaped from officers who were taking him back to custody - following his discharge from Great Western Hospital.

“A search involving a range of police assets, including drone and dog units, was carried out and the wanted man was rapidly located and detained.

“He was further arrested on suspicion of assault on an emergency worker and escape from lawful custody.”