Arizona

One hostage released from prison guard tower

One of two correctional officers held hostage by two inmates for nearly a week climbed down from a prison guard tower to safety Saturday.

The guard, a man who was not immediately identified, was taken to a Phoenix hospital after his release. Department of Corrections spokeswoman Cam Hunter said she had no immediate details on his condition but said authorities were encouraged he was able to walk down the ladder on his own.

He was released after negotiators delivered an item demanded by the inmates, Hunter said. A second item was delivered as part of the exchange agreement after the hostage was let go.

She did not reveal what the inmates were given.

Negotiators were still working for the freedom of the other hostage, a woman who remained with the two inmates in the tower, which is thought to be stocked with weapons.

Gaza Strip

Israel kills 2 Palestinians, announces prisoner release

Israeli soldiers on Saturday shot and killed two Palestinian militants staking out an army position with binoculars along the fortified fence between Gaza and Israel.

Members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, a violent extremist offshoot of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s Fatah movement, said the two men were on an “exploratory mission” to gather intelligence for a future attack.

Meanwhile, Israel announced it would release more than 400 Arab prisoners in exchange for an Israeli businessman and the bodies of three Israeli soldiers held by the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah. The deal marks Israel’s most significant release of Palestinian prisoners since Ariel Sharon became prime minister three years ago.

The prisoner release, which is expected within days, could give a popularity boost to Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, even though he was not involved in the negotiations.

Indiana

Accident kills lottery winner hours after show

A man who won $57,000 in an Indiana lottery game taped for television died hours later when he was hit by a pickup truck.

The “Hoosier Millionaire” featuring Carl D. Atwood, 73, was broadcast Saturday night after his family members said they wanted the show to go on, Hoosier Lottery director Jack Ross said.

The broadcast concluded with a photo of Atwood accompanied by text reading: “In memory of Carl Atwood.”

Atwood won the money Thursday during a two-hour taping in Indianapolis.

“I am very thankful,” he proclaimed. “I must admit that I never expected to be leaving the show with this amount of money. Now I can purchase a very nice car.”

Hours later, Atwood was hit by a truck as he walked to the grocery store where he bought the winning ticket near his home in Elwood, about 40 miles northeast of Indianapolis. He died at a hospital.

The driver has not been charged.