A man has been arrested after a Translink Goldliner coach was hijacked and its driver taken hostage in Co Tyrone, leading to a high-speed pursuit on the A5.
Police say the bus, which was travelling with passengers along the 273 route between Belfast and Derry, was hijacked on Beltany Road in Omagh before 1pm on Satuday.
Police say the suspect allowed the passengers to leave the bus but forced the driver to remain on board.
The bus then took off in the direction of Newtownstewart, leading to a pursuit by police along the A5.
It is thought that the stolen bus was involved in a number of collisions with other vehicles, including a police car.
The coach was eventually stopped in the Head of the Town area of Strabane.
A man in his 30s was arrested.
A man has also been taken to hospital for treatment following the incident.
The Fountain Street area of Strabane remains closed and is expected to stay shut for some time.
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.
“He remains in police custody at this time.”
A Translink spokesperson said they are assisting police with their enquiries.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the PSNI said detectives “investigating the hijacking of a bus in the Beltany Road area of Omagh yesterday, Saturday 12th September, have charged a man to court”.
The statement added: “The 39-year-old has been charged with a number of offences including kidnapping, hijacking, aggravated vehicle taking causing injury and possession of an offensive weapon.
“He is expected to appear before Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday 14th September.
“As is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.”
