UPDATE — 14 September 2026: A 39-year-old man has been charged with offences including kidnapping, hijacking, aggravated vehicle taking causing injury, and possession of an offensive weapon following Saturday’s Goldliner incident in Co Tyrone. Police say detectives investigating the hijacking in the Beltany Road area of Omagh charged the man. He is expected to appear at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday, 14 September 2026. He has been charged and has not been convicted.

A major police operation unfolded in Co Tyrone on Saturday afternoon after a Goldliner bus was reportedly stolen in Omagh and driven towards Strabane.

Police officers, including members of a specialist firearms team, were deployed as the vehicle travelled towards Strabane at around 1pm on Saturday, 12 September.

Footage circulating on social media appears to show a significant police response, with several police vehicles pursuing the coach through the Melmount area before the incident came to an end in Strabane.

Images from the scene show a number of officers surrounding and restraining a person beside the bus.

It has been reported that the vehicle involved was a Goldliner operating on the 273 route, which connects Belfast, Omagh, Strabane and Derry. Current timetable information confirms the 273 operates through both Omagh and Strabane. 

Police operation ends in Strabane

The bus was eventually brought to a stop in the Fountain Street area, where a substantial police presence remained on Saturday afternoon.

Fountain Street was subsequently closed, with the PSNI warning that the road was expected to remain shut for some time.

In a statement issued following the incident, police said:

“The road is currently closed at Fountain Street, Strabane and it will be for some time. We will update you once the road has reopened.”

The circumstances surrounding how the bus was taken and what happened during its journey from the Omagh area are expected to form part of the police investigation.

At this stage, Love Belfast will avoid speculating on details that have not yet been officially confirmed by police.

A Translink spokesperson said:

“We can confirm an incident occurred involving a Goldliner coach travelling on the Beltany Road in Omagh this afternoon (September 12).

“We are assisting the PSNI with their investigation including use of onboard cctv and would ask anyone with information relating to the incident to contact the police.”

This is a developing story and will be updated as further information is confirmed.