London - Ronnie Biggs, the legendary Great Train Robber who surrendered to police in 2001 after 36 years on the run, was hospitalized Sunday, days before family members hoped he would be released from prison. The 79-year-old has broken his hip and is suffering from a chest infection, reported his son Michael on Sunday. Biggs was discovered on the floor of his cell in the hospital wing of Norwich prison Sunday morning, probably after suffering a fall.
Biggs has suffered multiple strokes, can barely walk and has to be fed through a tube. Family members have pushed Justice Secretary Jack Straw to rule in favour of Biggs' release. Straw is widely expected to do just that.
Any release could not occur before July 3. Family hope he will be able to celebrate his 80th birthday on August 8 as a free man.
Biggs gained notoriety for his role in the audacious 1963 raid on a Glasgow to London mail train in which a 15-strong gang of robbers got away with a record cash haul of 2.6 million pounds. He escaped from prison 15 months after his conviction, hiding in France, Spain, Australia and Brazil for 36 years.
