Man arrested after allegedly holding bus driver hostage with knife in Tyrone and leading cops on high-speed chase

A MAN has been arrested following the alleged hijacking of a bus after a police chase in Co Tyrone today.

It’s alleged that the passengers were allowed to leave the bus but the driver was kept on board while it was pursued during the incident which began in Omagh.

Police said they received a number of reports of collisions involving the stolen bus.

Cops received a report that a bus had been allegedly hijacked in the Beltany Road area of Omagh shortly before 1pm.

It is understood the driver of the bus was allegedly threatened at knifepoint by a man while being chased by a PSNI patrol car.

The man in his 30s who allegedly hijacked the bus made off in the direction of Newtownstewart and a pursuit ensued along the A5 through Victoria Bridge and Sion Mills. And it lasted nearly 20 miles.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “The man, believed to be armed with a knife, allowed the passengers to leave the bus, however, kept the driver on board before making off in the direction of Newtownstewart.

“A pursuit ensued along the A5 through Victoria Bridge and Sion Mills.

“The bus was eventually stopped in the Head of the Town area of Strabane and the man, aged in his 30s, was removed from the bus and subsequently arrested.”

The suspect remains in police custody.

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One man has been taken to hospital for treatment for his injuries.

The PSNI added: “The Fountain Street and Drumrallagh areas in Strabane remain closed at this time and the public are asked to avoid the area.

“A number of reports of collisions involving the stolen bus and other vehicles, including a police car and damage to property have been received at this time and officers are appealing to anyone involved in a collision or to anyone with footage that could assist with inquiries to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 624 12/09/26.”

Sinn Fein councillor Brian Barney Harte said that the garden wall of a house had been damaged during the pursuit.

And he added that people are “understandably shocked and distressed at the reckless behaviour of the individual involved”.

He said: “I spoke to the driver who understandably has been pretty shook up by the entire ordeal.

“From what I heard he was able to tell him to slow down at points along the way, which may have prevented a major incident.

“My thoughts are with the passengers and driver, who have come through a terrifying experience.

“How there has not been a fatality is only by a miracle.”