A QUICK-THINKING police officer has been hailed a hero for the second time in two years after freeing a hostage during a terrifying siege at a hospital casualty department.

PC David Morgan used his Taser stun gun to disarm a prisoner who was holding a pair of scissors to the throat of a prison officer during a stand-off in Durham City in the early hours of this morning.

The incident happened almost two years to the day since the officer earned a police bravery award for diving 30ft from a bridge into the River Wear to save the life of a teenager.

Last night, senior officers at Durham Police praised the "courage, quick-thinking and professionalism" of PC Morgan and colleague PC Claire Reed.

The drama unfolded in the Accident and Emergency Department at the University Hospital of North Durham at around midnight.

A 22-year-old inmate from nearby Low Newton women's prison was brought to the hospital under guard for treatment to suspected self-inflicted injuries, including wounds to her thigh and groin.

The prisoner, who was said to be in an agitated state, was handcuffed to a female officer and was also accompanied by a male guard.

As she was brought into the hospital for treatment, the prisoner threw her left arm around the neck of the prison officer, forcing her into a headlock, and grabbed a pair of medical scissors, which she held to her captive's throat.

It was the start of a terrifying 20-minute ordeal for the officer, during which the prisoner demanded drugs from staff.

PCs Morgan and Reed, from the armed response unit based at force headquarters, arrived at the scene of the stand-off within a matter of minutes.

PC Morgan - a 35-year-old who has served as a policeman for 15 years - asked hospital staff to give him a small dispensing tub containing two tablets containing Aspirin, and held them out to the prisoner.

As she reached out to pick up the tablets and released her grip on the officer, the two constables fired their Tasers - each delivering a 50,000-volt electric shock - which left the prisoner incapacitated.

The inmate received stitches for her wounds and was returned to prison.

Both prison officers were left shocked by their ordeal, but were otherwise unhurt. A police investigation is now underway.

Michael Banks, Durham Constabulary's assistant chief constable, added: "The incident once again highlights the difficult and dangerous situations regularly faced by firearms officers who rely on their equipment, tactics and training to bring potentially life-threatening incidents to a safe conclusion."

A spokesman for County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed that the incident had taken place.

A spokesperson for the Prison Service said: "A prisoner from HMP Low Newton was accompanied to outside hospital last night after a self-harm incident.

"She was correctly cuffed to an officer but got hold of a pair of surgical scissors and the police were called. Both officers were calm and professional throughout the incident."

Last July, PC Morgan visited Downing Street to be presented with a Police Bravery Award after being nominated for his part in a rescue in May 2004.

The father-of-two leapt from Framwelgate Bridge to save the life of a 19-year-old who had tumbled from the parapet after a night out in Durham City and had plunged 30ft into the river.

PC Morgan, a former international water polo player, braved the cold, the dark and the river's swirling currents to pull the teenager to safety.

PC Morgan also received the Chief Constable's Commendation for his part in that rescue.