Two inmates escape from Montreal prison in hijacked helicopter

MONTREAL (AP) - Two inmates made a daring daylight escape from a prison northwest of Montreal in a hijacked helicopter, then led police in a car chase and exchanged gunfire at a rural cabin before they were finally recaptured, authorities said on Monday.

Police said the helicopter pilot was held hostage in the Sunday jail-break and was not a suspect. He was treated for shock at a hospital.

"This is the first time this has occurred in a Quebec facility," said Mr Yves Galarneau, correctional services manager of the Saint-Jerome prison.

He said there are no security measures in place at the prison to prevent a helicopter from swooping down from above.