Helicopter used in attempted prison break
- 11 years ago
Greek police say this helicopter was involved in an attempt to free a prisoner on Sunday (February 24).
The chartered aircraft took fire from guards at Trikala jail as it hovered above an outdoor prison yard and dropped a rope ladder.
Police say convicted criminal Panagiotis Vlastos then made a dash for the ladder as he tried to escape.
But as guards exchanged fire with men inside the aircraft, it was forced to land.
Vlastos was injured falling from the ladder and is now back in prison.
The pilot claims he was forced to fly to the jail against his will.
It's not the first time a helicopter has been used to free a prisoner from a high security jail in Greece.
Vassilis Paleokostas escaped by helicopter twice in 2006 and 2009.
The chartered aircraft took fire from guards at Trikala jail as it hovered above an outdoor prison yard and dropped a rope ladder.
Police say convicted criminal Panagiotis Vlastos then made a dash for the ladder as he tried to escape.
But as guards exchanged fire with men inside the aircraft, it was forced to land.
Vlastos was injured falling from the ladder and is now back in prison.
The pilot claims he was forced to fly to the jail against his will.
It's not the first time a helicopter has been used to free a prisoner from a high security jail in Greece.
Vassilis Paleokostas escaped by helicopter twice in 2006 and 2009.