Footage of unsuspecting family hijacked and kidnapped.
Watch this video of a family of three that were hijacked and kidnapped in Constantia Kloof, West Rand last weekend.
CCTV cameras captured three men dragging one of the victims, before forcing him into the back seat of a dark SUV.
The family survived unscathed and was dropped off in Meredale, at the corner of Margaret Street and Aasvoel Avenue, Johannesburg –about 20km from the hijacking spot.
Here are some tips to increase your odds of survival if you are ever put into a situation where you have been kidnapped.
- Observe your captor/s:
How many are there?
Are they armed? If so, with what?
Are they in good physical condition?
What do they look and/or sound like?
How old are they?
Do they seem well-prepared?
What are their emotional states? - Observe your surroundings:
Where are you being taken? Visualize the route the abductors take. Make note of turns, stops and variations in speed. Try to gauge the amount of time between points.
Where are you being held? Take in as much detail as possible about your surroundings. Where are the exits? Are there cameras in place, a lock on the door or other security precautions? Are there any obstacles, such as a large couch? Try to figure out where you are and gather information that may be helpful if you try to escape. - Keep a survival attitude. Be positive and remember, most kidnapping victims survive – the odds are with you.
- Keep the kidnapper at ease. Be calm. Cooperate (within reason) with your captor.
- Stay mentally active. Think about what you’ll do when you get back home. Hold conversations in your head with friends and loved ones. Do these things consciously. Captivity can be boring and mind-numbing. It’s important to challenge your mind so you can remain sane, but also so you can think rationally about escape. Do math problems, think of puzzles, try to recite poems you know, remember the lyrics to songs; do whatever you can to keep yourself occupied and mentally sharp.
Sources:
News24. (2018). WATCH: Family taken hostage during hijacking. [online] Available at: https://www.news24.com/Video/SouthAfrica/News/watch-man-taken-hostage-during-hijacking-20181114 [Accessed 19 Nov. 2018].
wikiHow. (2018). How to Survive an Abduction or Hostage Situation. [online] Available at: https://www.wikihow.com/Survive-an-Abduction-or-Hostage-Situation [Accessed 19 Nov. 2018].