It was a daring jailbreak but not quite as we know it.
Prison CCTV footage has revealed eight shackled inmates breaking through a locked door… to come to the aid of their jailer who was suffering an apparent heart attack.
It happened on 23 June in the basement of a northern Texas jail, with inmate Nick Kelton telling WFAA: “He just fell over. Looked like an act. Could have died right there.”
Kelton and the other inmates were able to break out of their holding room and, upon realising the guard didn’t have a pulse, began screaming and banging on doors to summon help.
The gesture – largely credited with saving the man’s life – was not without risk for the men, who feared the guards would suspect a fight and come with their guns drawn.
Luckily, officers arrived and began administering CPR while calling for medical help. The guard, who has not been identified, is expected to return to work next week.
Sgt Ryan Speegle told WNEP: “He [the guard] had keys. Had a gun. It could have been an extremely bad situation.”
Kelton added: “I watched him die twice. It never crossed my mind not to help, whether he’s got a gun or a badge.
“If he falls down, I’m gonna help him.”