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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 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. |