[JohnR]

http://www.turnto10.com/news/3259929...06450105022004

Ex-Hostage Alive And Well In Iraq
Military Says Hamill Apparently Escaped

POSTED: 7:21 a.m. EDT May 2, 2004
UPDATED: 9:08 a.m. EDT May 2, 2004

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- An American held hostage in Iraq for nearly a month is free and "ready to get back to work," the U.S. military said early Sunday morning.

Thomas Hamill (pictured, right) apparently escaped and was found by U.S. forces south of Tikrit, Iraq.



He apparently escaped from a building and flagged down U.S. military units who were patrolling a petroleum pipeline and identified himself, military officials said.

Hamill is among seven Halliburton employees missing since April 9. The bodies of four of the workers have been found. Also kidnapped in the attack was a U.S. soldier, Pvc. Keith Maupin, who was seen alive days later in video footage aired on the Arab television station al-Jazeera.

The day after his abduction, Hamill's kidnappers released video footage of him standing in front of an Iraqi flag.

A spokesman off camera demanded that U.S. troops end their siege of the city of Fallujah, where four American civilians were killed and mutilated.

Hamill's wife, Kellie, was awakened just before 6 a.m. with word that her husband had apparently escaped and was safe with U.S. forces.

Hamill said she has prayed a lot and is grateful for all the support her family has received.

Hamill says she had little information other than her husband was OK. She says she doesn't know when she will be able to see him.