Police believe a prisoner who escaped custody while in Christchurch Hospital genuinely needed medical treatment.
Neil Joseph Anderson fled while receiving treatment on 21 February and was last seen running through Hagley Park wearing a hospital gown and handcuffs.
Sergeant Jason Stewart, of Papanui, says police think the 46-year-old may be hiding in abandoned properties in the earthquake-hit eastern suburbs.
Anderson is described as Pakeha, 172 centimetres tall, with thinning blonde hair.
