A prisoner who escaped from custody on the New South Wales Mid North Coast has been found after less than 24-hours on the run. Matthew Furner was being treated at Port Macquarie Base Hospital on Sunday morning when he managed to get away from guards. Police dogs tracked down the 28-year-old in Frederickton on Sunday night following a car pursuit. Furner is expected to be charged and face court on Monday.

A prison inmate who escaped from a hospital while under Corrective Services supervision on the NSW Mid North Coast has been tracked down by a police dog and arrested by officers in Frederickton.

About 8am yesterday, police launched an extensive search after the 28-year-old man, who was being treated under guard by officers from Corrective Services NSW, absconded from Port Macquarie Base Hospital.

The search involved local police, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, the Dog Unit and PolAir.

About 7.15pm last night, police initiated a short pursuit which ended when the vehicle involved struck a roundabout on the Pacific Highway, Frederickton, and the male driver fled on foot.

An extensive search of the Pacific Highway led police to the vicinity of Quarry Road and Seashore Lane, Frederickton, where the man was seen trying to access a property.

A police dog tracked the man to a paddock in the area and he was arrested by police.

The man was taken to Kempsey Police Station where he was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor bites to his face.

He is expected to be charged with escape lawful custody and face Port Macquarie Local Court today.

Furner had stayed overnight in the hospital to have some procedures done, having come down from Campsie Jail.