Iron inmate attempts escape

HURLEY — An Illinois man wanted in his home state attempted to escape from Iron County Sheriff’s Department custody Saturday while being treated for a medical issue.

The man was booked into the Iron County Jail early Saturday morning on local charges of disorderly conduct and a warrant out of Illinois, according to Iron County Sheriff Paul Samardich.

The attempted escape occurred at roughly 1:06 p.m., as the inmate fled into the nearby woods while being escorted out of the Aspirus Ironwood Hospital, Samardich said in a news release.

The man has been transported to the hospital at approximately 11:50 a.m. “for a medical issue,” Samardich said.

The deputy pursued the inmate, who Samardich said was in restraints at the time, while also requesting assistance.

“The deputy had the inmate back in custody within four minutes, prior to the arrival from assisting agencies,” Samardich said.

He said the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police and Iron County Sheriff’s Department personnel responded to the scene.

Additional charges are pending due to the inmate’s attempted escape.

—Richard Jenkins