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Two convicted murderers escaped a maximum security prison by using power tools to cut through steel pipes - then left their pursuers a cheeky note.

Richard Matt, 48, and David Sweat, 34, cut through the back of their cells and escaped through underground tunnels in scenes similar to hit film Shawshank Redemption.

The fugitive pair - described as "two dangerous individuals" - then left a message with a smiley face in a crude racial caricature style and the words: "Have a nice day!"

Sweat is serving a sentence of life without parole after he was convicted of first-degree murder for killing a Broome County sheriff's deputy in 2002.

(Image: Reuters)

Matt is serving a sentence of 25 years to life for the kidnapping and beating death of a man in 1997.

"It was an elaborate plot," New York governor Andrew Cuomo said after joining law enforcement authorities to retrace the prisoners' escape route from the Clinton Correctional Facility in the town of Dannemora in the Adirondacks, near the Canadian border.

The two men's adjoining cells were empty during a morning check, said Anthony Annuci, the acting state corrections commissioner.

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"A search revealed that there was a hole cut out of the back of the cell through which these inmates escaped," Mr Annucci said.

"They went onto a catwalk (a type of platform used in construction and maintenance) which is about six storeys high.

"We estimate they climbed down and had power tools and were able to get out to this facility through tunnels, cutting away at several spots."

(Image: New York State Governor's Office)

Authorities said there are many questions including how the men acquired the tools.

Mr Annucci said prison authorities are checking to see if any power tools are missing from contractors at the facility.

Major Charles E. Guess of the state police said more than 200 officers from multiple agencies are searching for the inmates.

The search includes bloodhounds and aerial surveillance, he said.

(Image: Google)

Mr Cuomo said the prison break was the first escape from the maximum-security portion of the facility since it was built in 1865.

The prison is about 20 miles from the Canadian border. Roadblocks have been set up in the area.