Prison escapee charged after NSW car crash

A prison escapee has been charged following a police pursuit that ended when he crashed a car into a petrol station on the NSW south coast.

Police said the 43-year-old minimum security inmate was working in the grounds of the South Coast Correctional Facility near Nowra when he escaped at 2pm on Monday.

The man allegedly stole a van from a nearby car park and crashed it into a service station petrol bowser.

He has been charged with several offences including escaping lawful custody, police pursuit (Skye's Law) and property damage.

He appeared at Nowra Local Court on Tuesday where he was remanded in custody to appear at the same court on Friday.