Drunk man hijacks Prince George bus with 5 passengers
Last Updated: Wednesday, March 5, 2008 | 3:01 PM PT
CBC News
An impaired man hijacked an airport shuttle with five people on board in Prince George Tuesday night, according to the RCMP.
The man jumped on the shuttle bus and sped off with the unwilling passengers after the airport shuttle van was left idling as the driver helped some people get off at a Ramada Hotel, said Const. Gary Godwin of Prince George RCMP.
"The mother of one unwilling passenger said her daughter screamed at the man to 'Let them off,'" Godwin told CBC reporter Betsy Trumpener on Wednesday.
The driver then stopped, ordered the passengers out and took off quickly, driving through stop signs and stop lights and almost striking several vehicles, said Godwin.
Police were able to lay down a spike belt several kilometres farther along the road, which stopped the stolen shuttle.
The driver then fled into the forest, plowing through snow almost two metres deep before finally giving himself up to police.
Following the arrest, police were able to reunite the shuttle passengers with their luggage.
Police are now recommending a total of nine charges against the 41-year-old man, including driving while impaired and driving while under suspension.
