Massive search underway for NY prison escapees

A massive search for two convicts that escaped a prison in New York earlier continues into the seventh day.

More than 800 American forces were taking part in the search for David Sweat and Richard Matt who fled the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, in the upper reaches of the state about 20 miles (32 km) south of the Canadian border, the New York Post reported on Saturday.

Following a tipster that had reported seeing two men with the description of the escapees “jumping over a wall,” authorities swarmed nearby Cadyville.

Meanwhile, the rain started pouring down in the area. The bad weather has hampered the search efforts, according to State Police Major Charles Guess, who added that it also makes the situation more difficult for the pair to survive.

Although, there have not yet been any confirmed sightings, Guess said no evidence suggested the runaways had left the area.

On Friday, Joyce Mitchell, a worker at Clinton Correctional Facility, was detained and charged over "providing material assistance" to Sweat and Matt.

Matt, 48, and Sweat, 34, who are still at large, are dangerous and should not be approached, according New York state police.

On June 6, Matt and Sweat were unaccounted for during bed check at the prison.

Sweat was serving a life sentence without parole after he was convicted of first-degree murder for killing a sheriff's deputy in 2002, while Matt was serving a sentence of 25 years to life for kidnapping a man and beating him to death in 1997.

NT/NT

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk