Helicopter Prison Escape Foiled: Dramatic Attempt Prevented After Prisoner Panagiotis Vlastos Shot Down by Prison Guards, 500 Bullets Fired

Like something right out of a Tom Cruise action flick, a dramatic helicopter escape from a Greek prison was foiled Sunday when prisoner, Panagiotis Vlastos, was shot and the chopper was forced to land in the prison parking lot.

A helicopter containing two passengers, a pilot, and a technician lowered down on the prison Sunday while the men aboard the helicopter shot down at prison guards using AK-47 assault rifles. The helicopter lowered a rope trying to help Vlastos, convicted killer, escape the Greek prison. This was his fourth attempt at escaping (maybe he shouldn't be let out for recreation time anymore) and he once again was unsuccessful after getting shot by prison guards.

According to reports from the Associated Press, the helicopter attempted to tear apart the wire fencing to set the killer free before lowering the rope. During the shootout, one prison guard was injured by shards of flying glass while Vlastos and the technician aboard the helicopter were also injured. The technician was wounded in the hand, while Vlastos was wounded in the legs and is being treated in the prison hospital.

According to the AP article, the armed men shot over 500 bullets from the helicopter. It could have been much worse; however, as according to The Ministry of Justice, the helicopter contained "improvised explosive devises."

Vlastos is a 43-year-old convicted murderer and racketeer serving a life term. He was first arrested back in 1994 for the murder of two members of a rival criminal gang. He was also convicted of masterminding a kidnapping from behind bars last year.

Vlastos had previously tried to escape in 1994, 1998, and 2011. This is also the third time a helicopter was used in an attempted prison escape in Greece. Based on the brief history of Vlastos, I wouldn't be surprised if Hollywood tries to do a movie about this guy's life and unsuccessful escape attempts. Stay tuned.