Police in Canada launched a manhunt on Sunday (March 17) after two prisoners escaped from jail in a helicopter.

Staff at the Saint-Jerome jail in Quebec raised the alarm as two male inmates made their getaway.

Local reports suggest they climbed into the helicopter via a rope ladder.

The aircraft was found 53 miles (85 kilometres) away and the pilot taken to hospital.

Reports say one of the fugitives has now been caught and police are closing in on the second.