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Salford prison van ambush: Two men escape Salford prison van ambush: Two men escape
(35 minutes later)
Two men escaped from a prison van after five men wearing balaclavas ambushed the transporter in Salford.Two men escaped from a prison van after five men wearing balaclavas ambushed the transporter in Salford.
Witnesses reported seeing armed masked men running away from the van with its windows smashed on Regent Road shortly after 09:00 BST.Witnesses reported seeing armed masked men running away from the van with its windows smashed on Regent Road shortly after 09:00 BST.
One man was then seen without a helmet on the back of a motorbike as it was ridden off at high speed from the scene.One man was then seen without a helmet on the back of a motorbike as it was ridden off at high speed from the scene.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed two prisoners had escaped from the van.Greater Manchester Police confirmed two prisoners had escaped from the van.
It is believed the prisoners were being taken from HMP Altcourse in Fazakerley, Merseyside, to a court appearance in Manchester.
'Wielding axes''Wielding axes'
One eyewitness said he was walking down Regent Road when he saw three masked men in a dark green car drive across the carriageway into the side of the prison van.One eyewitness said he was walking down Regent Road when he saw three masked men in a dark green car drive across the carriageway into the side of the prison van.
"I called the police and then I could just hear the smashing, the screams, everything that was happening," he said."I called the police and then I could just hear the smashing, the screams, everything that was happening," he said.
"I looked back because I could hear some more shouts and there were some men running towards me so I sprinted as fast as I could into the estate."I looked back because I could hear some more shouts and there were some men running towards me so I sprinted as fast as I could into the estate.
"I was pretty scared to be honest. It was definitely flight mode.""I was pretty scared to be honest. It was definitely flight mode."
A second witness said he saw two men wielding axes and another "appeared to be holding a shotgun which he was holding very close to his left leg".A second witness said he saw two men wielding axes and another "appeared to be holding a shotgun which he was holding very close to his left leg".
He added: "They sprinted up Regent Road away from the city where they met with another group of men with motorcycles near the Salford Lads Club.He added: "They sprinted up Regent Road away from the city where they met with another group of men with motorcycles near the Salford Lads Club.
"I distinctly remember one lad on one of the bikes had a bright red Puffa jacket on.""I distinctly remember one lad on one of the bikes had a bright red Puffa jacket on."
'Abandoned car''Abandoned car'
Another witness said five men had run to a nearby parked car before driving off.Another witness said five men had run to a nearby parked car before driving off.
She added they ditched the car after a short distance before running into a nearby housing estate.She added they ditched the car after a short distance before running into a nearby housing estate.
Police forensics officers have arrived at the scene and a detailed search for clues is being carried out.Police forensics officers have arrived at the scene and a detailed search for clues is being carried out.
Ch Supt Kevin Mulligan said: "To reassure those that live nearby there is a significant police presence in the area.Ch Supt Kevin Mulligan said: "To reassure those that live nearby there is a significant police presence in the area.
"At this stage we do not believe that there is any ongoing threat to the community and we would appeal to anyone who has any information to contact the police as soon as possible.""At this stage we do not believe that there is any ongoing threat to the community and we would appeal to anyone who has any information to contact the police as soon as possible."
The raid took place just off the same stretch of road as a similar attack on a prison van in July 2011.The raid took place just off the same stretch of road as a similar attack on a prison van in July 2011.