The Soham killer remains in serious condition at hospital following the alleged attack
(Image: PA)
Ian Huntley came perilously close to losing his life after being brutally assaulted by a fellow prisoner, leaving him unable to be airlifted to hospital.
A paramedic and doctor were flown to Durham’s Frankland prison where they stabilised him at the scene. He was placed into an induced coma due to the seriousness of his injuries sustained when he was attacked with a metal pole in a prison workshop, allegedly by a triple murderer.
An ambulance transported him to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, allowing medical staff to continue treating him during the journey should his condition worsen. The air ambulance departed from the prison and touched down at the RVI to pick up the medics after Huntley arrived at the hospital following the 30-minute, 19-mile journey.
Armed officers provided an escort both ahead of and behind the vehicle. Two prison officers and an armed police constable travelled inside the ambulance during the high-security operation, reports the Mirror.
“He was placed in an induced coma because he was so close to death,” a source said. “The team from the helicopter travelled with him but he could not be evacuated by air in case of any complications.
“He was transported by road because he was in a coma; this helps to keep him stable. The helicopter then travels to the hospital to collect the medics. Two armed officers are guarding Huntley around the clock at the hospital.”
An insider told the Mirror, “Medical staff must be professional no matter who they are dealing with. With a high-profile prisoner like Huntley, the patient’s name is not released before arrival at the jail. “Once the medical staff get there, they may recognise the patient but must put that to the back of their minds. “
Durham Police stated today: “The 52-year-old man remains in hospital in a serious condition. There have been no changes overnight.”
Prior to the assault, his third during 24 years behind bars, Huntley had developed a paranoia that fellow prisoners were attempting to poison him. He was found in a pool of blood following the attack shortly after 9 am on Thursday.
Neither the police nor prison authorities have confirmed the identity of the suspect, reported as triple murderer Anthony Russell.
Huntley, who worked as a cleaner on A wing at Frankland, had stopped eating prison food due to his belief that his fellow inmates were “out to get him.”
Instead, he purchased fast food and sweets from the shop, leading to significant weight gain.
Huntley is serving a life sentence for the murders of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, who disappeared after leaving a family barbecue to buy sweets in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4, 2002.
He discarded their bodies in a ditch and became a suspect after giving media interviews about the police investigation. He is currently serving a minimum 40-year sentence.
“He knew that he was a target,” an insider revealed. “That is why he was so paranoid about his food.”
The bodies of Holly and Jessica were discovered two weeks after they vanished in August 2002.
Huntley was found guilty in December 2003 following a trial at the Old Bailey. His girlfriend Maxine Carr, a teaching assistant at the girls’ primary school, was also imprisoned in 2003 after being convicted of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
She was released from prison and given a new identity in May 2004. After his arrest, it came to light that Huntley had been able to work with children despite facing allegations of rape and sexual assault.
Humberside Police had received serious accusations against him. An investigation resulted in criminal checks on anyone working with children.
Huntley was scalded with boiling water at HMP Wakefield in 2005.
He was transferred to Frankland, where thief Damien Fowkes slashed him in 2010. The neck wound was seven inches (18 cm) long and required 21 stitches.
Fowkes asked a prison officer: “Is he dead? I hope so.”