John Killick (Australian criminal)

John Killick (born 1942) is an Australian convicted armed robber and escape artist. He is primarily known for his 1999 escape from Silverwater Correctional Centre in New South Wales, Australia, with the assistance of his then-girlfriend, Lucy Dudko, who hijacked a helicopter to facilitate his break-out.

Killick had a long criminal history prior to the helicopter escape, including convictions for armed robbery, drug offenses, and other violent crimes. He had previously escaped from custody on at least one occasion prior to Silverwater.

The helicopter escape garnered significant media attention in Australia and internationally, becoming a sensational story. Dudko, a flight instructor, hired the helicopter under false pretenses and then held the pilot at gunpoint, forcing him to land within the prison grounds. Killick boarded the helicopter, and they flew to a nearby park.

Following the escape, a large-scale manhunt ensued. Killick and Dudko remained at large for 45 days before being apprehended.

Killick was subsequently sentenced to additional prison time for the escape. Dudko also received a prison sentence for her role in the crime.

The story of John Killick and Lucy Dudko's audacious helicopter escape has been the subject of books, documentaries, and other media adaptations. It remains one of Australia's most infamous and unusual prison escape stories.