A QUICK-THINKING police officer has been hailed a hero for the second time in two years after he saved 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 in the early hours of yesterday.

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

Last night, senior officers praised the "courage, quick-thinking and professionalism" of PC Morgan, 35, and colleague PC Claire Reed.

The drama unfolded in the accident and emergency department at the University Hospital of North Durham at about 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 was handcuffed to a female officer and accompanied by a male guard.

As she was brought into the hospital for treatment, she put the female officer in a headlock and grabbed a pair of medical scissors, which she held to her captive's throat.

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

PCs Morgan and Reed, from the armed response unit, arrived in minutes.

PC Morgan, who has served as an officer for 15 years, asked staff for aspirin tablets and held them out to the prisoner.

As she reached to get them 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 unhurt and a police investigation into the incident is under way.

Assistant Chief Constable Michael Banks said: "The incident once again highlights the difficult and dangerous situations regularly faced by firearms officers."

Last July, PC Morgan was presented with a police bravery award after a rescue in May 2004.

The father-of-two leapt from Framwelgate Bridge, in Durham, to save a 19-year-old who fell 30ft from the parapet after a night out 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.