A man has been arrested after a bus was hijacked in Omagh, County Tyrone, on Saturday, 12 September 2026. The incident, which involved the bus driver being threatened at knifepoint, led to a police chase.
Police said the bus was hijacked shortly before 13:00 BST in the Beltany Road area of Omagh. Passengers were allowed to leave the bus, but the driver was kept on board by the hijacker.
The man then drove the bus towards Newtownstewart, with a police pursuit ensuing along the A5 through Victoria Bridge and Sion Mills. The chase covered nearly 20 miles before the bus was stopped in the Head of the Town area of Strabane.
A PSNI spokesperson confirmed that a man, aged in his 30s, was removed from the bus and arrested. One man has been taken to hospital for treatment for injuries. Police are appealing for information following reports of collisions involving the bus and other vehicles, including a police car, and damage to property.
Sinn Féin councillor Brian Barney Harte stated that a wall was damaged at the side of a house in Strabane during the pursuit. He added that people were shocked and distressed, and that the bus stopped near a children's play park. A police helicopter was reportedly involved in the chase.
Translink NI confirmed an incident involving a Goldliner coach on the Beltany Road in Omagh and is assisting the PSNI investigation, including using onboard CCTV.