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Student tells of terror during Belfast car hijacking Student tells of terror during Belfast car hijacking
(about 8 hours later)
A medical student has spoken of his terror when he was "ripped from his car" in a hijacking.A medical student has spoken of his terror when he was "ripped from his car" in a hijacking.
Daniel Napier, 19, from County Down, was taking a friend out for a drive on Saturday when the hijackers struck at Purdysburn Road in south Belfast.Daniel Napier, 19, from County Down, was taking a friend out for a drive on Saturday when the hijackers struck at Purdysburn Road in south Belfast.
He said he was "the most scared he had ever felt" during the attack.He said he was "the most scared he had ever felt" during the attack.
"They reached in and ripped me out of the car. They pinned me up against the car," he said."They reached in and ripped me out of the car. They pinned me up against the car," he said.
"I was in a vice-like grip and I felt under so much pressure.""I was in a vice-like grip and I felt under so much pressure."
Mr Napier said one of the men punched him in the face and threatened to shoot him if he did not hand over his keys and valuables.Mr Napier said one of the men punched him in the face and threatened to shoot him if he did not hand over his keys and valuables.
Two men fled in his Renault Clio car, which was later set on fire in Beechmount Avenue in west Belfast shortly before 12:25 BST.Two men fled in his Renault Clio car, which was later set on fire in Beechmount Avenue in west Belfast shortly before 12:25 BST.
PSNI statistics show there were 43 personal hijackings and 10 business hijackings in Northern Ireland in 2018/19 - one a week on average.PSNI statistics show there were 43 personal hijackings and 10 business hijackings in Northern Ireland in 2018/19 - one a week on average.
Detectives have appealed for witnesses following the hijacking, which is one of a series of incidents across Northern Ireland, which they believe are linked.Detectives have appealed for witnesses following the hijacking, which is one of a series of incidents across Northern Ireland, which they believe are linked.
Mr Napier said he realised there was a disturbance on the road ahead of him when another motorist beeped his horn and signalled to him to do a u-turn.Mr Napier said he realised there was a disturbance on the road ahead of him when another motorist beeped his horn and signalled to him to do a u-turn.
But he did not realise the threat he was under.But he did not realise the threat he was under.
"I flicked the indicator on and suddenly the two boys were on my car. They were running at me like bulls," he said."I flicked the indicator on and suddenly the two boys were on my car. They were running at me like bulls," he said.
"I was trying to get the lock pressed, but I couldn't get it in time.""I was trying to get the lock pressed, but I couldn't get it in time."
Mr Napier said he tried to hold the door closed, but was overpowered by one of the men, who pulled it open.Mr Napier said he tried to hold the door closed, but was overpowered by one of the men, who pulled it open.
He added that he managed to free himself when the hijackers tore his T-shirt off, but he didn't run away because he didn't know where his friend was.He added that he managed to free himself when the hijackers tore his T-shirt off, but he didn't run away because he didn't know where his friend was.
"The keys fell out of my hand when he punched me in the face. My nose and lips were bleeding. I was physically stunned," he said."The keys fell out of my hand when he punched me in the face. My nose and lips were bleeding. I was physically stunned," he said.
"I never thought of keeping my doors locked when driving."I never thought of keeping my doors locked when driving.
"I thought if there was a threat, I would have time to lock my doors, but this happened like lightning.""I thought if there was a threat, I would have time to lock my doors, but this happened like lightning."
Mr Napier said he lost his car, mobile phone, passport and football kit in the hijacking.Mr Napier said he lost his car, mobile phone, passport and football kit in the hijacking.
Police said they received reports of hijackings and assaults in the Newcastle, Lisburn, Carryduff and west Belfast areas on Saturday.Police said they received reports of hijackings and assaults in the Newcastle, Lisburn, Carryduff and west Belfast areas on Saturday.
They said a 31-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday night on suspicion of hijacking and common assault by detectives investigating the incidents and remains in custody. They have appealed for informatino from anyone who was travelling on the Newcastle Road in Dundrum close to the 12 Arches; the Old Ballynahinch Road in Lisburn; the Saintfield Road area of Belfast close to Ivanhoe Hotel; the Purdysburn Road; and the Boucher Road and Beechmount areas of Belfast on Saturday.
A 30-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of hijacking and a number of other offences.
A 31-year-old man arrested on Tuesday has been released no bail pending further enquiries.
The police issued the following safety advice:The police issued the following safety advice:
• Keep doors locked and handbags and valuables out of view.• Keep doors locked and handbags and valuables out of view.
• Never pick up hitchhikers. Only give lifts to people you know well.• Never pick up hitchhikers. Only give lifts to people you know well.
• Do not stop if someone tries to flag you down.• Do not stop if someone tries to flag you down.
• If you need air, only wind your window down a little so nobody can reach in while you are stopped in traffic.• If you need air, only wind your window down a little so nobody can reach in while you are stopped in traffic.
• Keep your mobile phone out of sight and do not use it while driving.• Keep your mobile phone out of sight and do not use it while driving.
• Avoid eye contact with aggressive or suspicious drivers.• Avoid eye contact with aggressive or suspicious drivers.
• If you are forced to stop, keep your engine running and make sure you have enough room to drive away.• If you are forced to stop, keep your engine running and make sure you have enough room to drive away.