A convicted murderer escaped from custody Tuesday morning while being transported to a medical appointment at a North Carolina hospital, the sheriff's office said.

Ramone Alston, 30, broke away from a corrections officer while being escorted to UNC Hospital in Hillsborough, according to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

"He had freed himself from leg restraints and, still in handcuffs, jumped out and ran into adjacent woods," the department said in a statement.

He was last seen wearing a gray T-shirt, brown pants and white New Balance sneakers, as well as handcuffs connected to a waist chain, officials said.

Officials are asking the public to immediately call 911 if they see him and warning them not to approach him.

"He’s unpredictable -- we don’t know what he’s going

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