This is the moment a prisoner was seen running through fields just minutes after he escaped from a prison van.
A manhunt was launched for Jamie Cooper, 33, of Blackpool, after he absconded from a GEOAmey prison van on the M55 yesterday morning.
The vehicle was escorting prisoners to Lancaster Magistrates Court at the time of the incident.
Lancashire police said he faked a medical emergency while on board and forced the van to pull over at around 9am.
He was facing charges of assaulting a police officer and criminal damage.
The footage, believed to be of Jamie Cooper was captured by an eyewitness, who described the sighting to BBC News as surreal.
He was captured walking through a field near the M55 shortly after the prison van escape.
A police spokesperson previously 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.
An eyewitness captured a video of a man believed to be the fugitive Jamie Cooper
The 33-year-old escaped from a prison van heading to Lancaster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning
The sighting came just minutes after Jamie Cooper escaped from a police van on the M55
‘Searches and an investigation are ongoing, and you will see an increase in our officers in the area as they continue their enquiries. If you have any concerns, please do approach them as they are out and about.
‘Cooper has links to Blackpool and Bolton
‘If you see Cooper, do not approach him, but call 999 and let us know straight away.
‘If you can assist our enquiries in any way, please get in contact with us on 101 quoting log 0237 of 19th March.’
