A 39-year-old County Tyrone man has appeared in court in relation to the hijacking of a bus at knifepoint, which triggered a police pursuit.
Daniel James Diver, from Evish Square, Strabane is charged with unlawfully by force or threat taking control of a Translink Goldliner Bus and kidnapping the driver while in possession of a knife.
It is further alleged he drove the bus dangerously and while unfit through drink or drugs and while disqualified, failed to stop for police, failed to stop and remain at the scene of accidents in which injury was caused.
Finally, Diver is accused of unlawfully possessing the prescription-only drug Pregabalin
A detective constable aware of the facts of the case told Enniskillen Magistrates’ Court all charges could be connected.
He explained the bus left Omagh around 1pm on September 12 with Diver on board.
A short time into the journey he allegedly approached the driver’s cab brandishing a large “non-standard knife, stating he was taking over the bus”.
The driver pulled over and while he was instructed to remain on board the passengers were allowed to disembark.
Diver allegedly got into the driver seat and drove off.
By this time police had been alerted and drew alongside the bus, indicating for Diver to pull over.
Court heard he ignored this and drove on, striking the PSNI vehicle in the process and two further cars, then continuing erratically, swerving onto the opposite lane, into the path of heavy oncoming traffic who had to take evasive action.
The bus was noted to reach speeds of 60mph and it proceeded to collide with another vehicle which was forced off the road into a ditch.
The bus contained along the A5, regularly crossing over the central lines.
Throughout this the terrified driver was trying to keep Diver calm.
As the bus entered the outskirts of Strabane, two further vehicles were struck and a short distance away, two more were struck.
A police motorcyclist was also struck when trying to divert traffic from the route of the bus.
A road sign and another vehicle were struck as the bus careered on, before hitting a wall near a play park, where it became stuck.
Diver was arrested and taken to hospital as a precaution where the Pregabalin tablets were located on his person.
He was deemed fit and released into police custody.
During interview he made full admissions, although only recalled colliding with one vehicle but accepted his driving was dangerous.
He admitted planning to take control of the bus, intending to drive it to Derry/Londonderry “to show off to his younger brother”.
A defence barrister told the court there is no application for bail and noted Diver made admissions during interview.
“He apologises to all involved particularly the bus driver and he wished for me to repeat this to the court,” said defence.
The defence also requested an order is made for Diver to undergo immediate psychiatric assessment when in custody.
District Judge Alana McSorley agreed and remanded Diver in custody to appear again by video-link at Strabane Magistrates Court on October 8.
