Prisoner recaptured after NZ airport escape bid

A prisoner being transferred escaped his guards and commandeered a tourist bus at New Zealand’s biggest airport today before being recaptured.

The unidentified man, described as “screaming and yelling very violently,” seized the bus outside the domestic terminal at Auckland Airport and offloaded 20 passengers before driving toward the international terminal.

The man was being transferred between facilities with six other prisoners when he broke free from his guards.

“He tried to take a taxi but was unsuccessful” and turned to the bus, police inspector Richard Middleton told the New Zealand Herald.

The prisoner – who was handcuffed throughout the incident – was caught by members of the public and police after about 20 minutes when the bus stopped near the international terminal.