Escaped Queensland prisoner's getaway route revealed

A prisoner who led police on a week-long manhunt after escaping from a Queensland hospital found a getaway route right under the noses of officers tasked to guarding him.

Then 23-year-old Lui 'Dylan' Tiaaleaiga was arrested in July last year for carrying a loaded, handmade gun down the front of his pants.

He was admitted to Rockhampton Hospital the following day, complaining of a sore foot.

9News can reveal Tiaaleaiga then asked police if he could have a shower, and the officers agreed, unlocking his leg shackles.

The officers then stood guarding what they thought was the only access door to the shower.

Unbeknownst to them, another door on the other side of the shower led to a second door which was unlocked and became Tiaaleaiga's escape route.

A week later, Tiaaleaiga was arrested in a stolen Toyota HiLux ute.

He was later sentenced to five years in jail.