OMAGH, Northern Ireland — A Translink Goldliner coach was hijacked in Omagh on Saturday after its driver was threatened at knifepoint, triggering a nearly 20-mile police pursuit through County Tyrone before officers stopped the bus in Strabane and arrested a man in his 30s.
A man has been arrested after a hijacked bus was brought to a stop after a police chase. https://t.co/h4RjPY55YR
— BBC News NI (@BBCNewsNI) September 12, 2026
Passengers were allowed to leave the coach, but the driver was kept onboard as the bus headed toward Newtownstewart. The pursuit then continued along the A5 through Victoria Bridge and Sion Mills, with police later receiving reports of collisions involving other vehicles, a police car and damage to property.
Hijacking began on Beltany Road in Omagh
Police said the incident started shortly before 1pm BST in the Beltany Road area of Omagh.
The driver was threatened with a knife before passengers were allowed to get off. The driver remained inside as the man took control of the coach and drove away.
That made the incident more serious than a vehicle theft alone. Police were dealing with a large passenger coach moving through populated areas while the driver was still onboard.
Police chase stretched nearly 20 miles
The hijacked bus travelled toward Newtownstewart before the pursuit continued along the A5 through Victoria Bridge and Sion Mills toward Strabane.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the Goldliner travelling at speed through residential streets while being followed by a PSNI patrol car. Local councillor Brian Barney Harte said a police helicopter was also involved.
The pursuit covered nearly 20 miles, taking the emergency through several communities before the bus was finally stopped.
Vehicles and property reportedly damaged
Police said they received a number of reports of collisions involving the hijacked coach and other vehicles during the pursuit.
Those reports included a police car, while property was also damaged. Harte said a wall beside a house in Strabane was struck and described reports of pedestrians narrowly avoiding the bus, including people pushing prams.
He said residents were shocked by the incident and that it was remarkable no fatality had been reported.
The risks to people near transport routes have also been highlighted by other recent emergencies, including the France train derailment near Rouen that left 44 people injured.
UK Airport Cyber Attack: 8.7 Million Customers’ Data Accessed
Boston Scientific Cyberattack Disrupts Shipments: Latest Update
Bus stopped beside children’s play park
The pursuit ended in the Head of the Town area of Strabane, where police brought the coach to a stop.
Harte said the bus came to rest beside a children’s play park. A man in his 30s was removed from the coach and arrested.
Police also confirmed that one man was taken to hospital for treatment. The nature and severity of the injuries were not confirmed in the information released at the time.
Roads closed as police examine the scene
The Fountain Street and Drumallagh areas of Strabane were closed following the incident, with the public asked to avoid the area.
The closures allowed officers to investigate the reported collisions, examine damage and secure the stopped coach.
Major transport incidents can quickly create wider disruption, as seen recently during Heathrow and Gatwick flight disruption linked to a NATS fault.
Onboard CCTV could be key evidence
Translink confirmed an incident involving a Goldliner coach travelling on Beltany Road and said it was assisting police with the investigation.
The operator said that cooperation included access to onboard CCTV, which could help investigators establish what happened during the initial confrontation, when passengers left and what occurred while the driver remained onboard.
Official updates on the investigation can be followed through the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Police appeal for witnesses
Investigators are now working to establish the full sequence of events, including the reported crashes and property damage during the pursuit.
Police have appealed for information, including relevant CCTV, dashcam or mobile-phone footage from anyone who may have witnessed the bus travelling between Omagh and Strabane.
At the time of the initial report, police had confirmed an arrest but had not announced charges. Further details about the injured man and the full extent of the damage remained under investigation.
Make Swikblog your go-to source on Google for reliable updates, smart insights, and daily trends.
