Convicted gunman escapes custody

Police warn the public not to approach Farnan.

A prisoner is on the run after being helped to escape by two masked men during a trip to hospital.

Joe Farnan, 27, arrived at Hammersmith Hospital by ambulance when two men - one armed with a gun - opened the vehicle's doors.

The three men fled the scene by car at 1400 BST. It is the third time Farnan has escaped from custody.

Farnan, from Bermondsey, south London, was in prison at Wormwood Scrubs for conspiracy to rob and other crimes.

Aggravated vehicle taking and escaping from lawful custody were also the list of crimes he was convicted of when he was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence at Harrow Crown Court in July last year.

He was being taken to hospital after complaining of fits while at the west London prison.

Officers unhurt

Police described Farnan as white, of medium build with dark brown hair and blue eyes.

He is about 5ft 10in tall and has a distinctive scar on his forearm.

In July 2006 he was convicted of conspiracy to rob, aggravated vehicle taking and escaping lawful custody.

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "The ambulance had driven to Hammersmith Hospital around 300m away and when it pulled into A&E, armed men with balaclavas approached the ambulance.

"They forced the three officers to uncuff the prisoner who escaped in the vehicle."

The officers were unhurt, but are being treated for shock. No shots were fired.

The public are being advised not to approach the men but to contact the police if they are seen.