Geriatric criminal Neddy Smith sneaks past guards in hospital

Prison officers investigated after notorious murderer, 72, who has Parkinson's disease, apparently left his bed and was only caught by nurses in hallway

Two prison guards tasked with sitting by the bedside of notorious Sydney underworld figure Arthur "Neddy" Smith are being investigated after they allegedly failed to notice the 72-year-old leave his hospital room in a suspected escape attempt on Monday.

Smith, who is serving two life sentences for murder at Sydney's Long Bay jail, was admitted to the cardiac ward of the Prince of Wales hospital at Randwick after suffering heart problems.