‘I thought I was going to die,’ was the thought racing through the mind of the victim of Friday’s carjacking in broad daylight on one of Kempsey’s busiest streets.
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At a time when everyone should feel safe, one woman had her sense of safety shattered.
The 65-year-old victim was stopped at traffic lights on Belgrave St just before 12pm on Friday when two men and one woman forced their way into her car and demanded money.
The victim’s daughter Kate Buckman spoke to The Argus and said the thought of her life being in danger in the middle of the day never crossed her mother’s mind.
Related content: Carjacking ordeal in Kempsey
“Mum was stopped at the traffic lights and (the three individuals) were standing on the medium strip next to the car. Mum didn’t think anything of it until she heard her car door opening and the woman got in behind her,” she said.
The three individuals demanded money from Ms Buckman’s mother and when they discovered she didn’t have any with her, they demanded she drive them to different locations around town.
“They made her drive to South and West Kempsey and out to Burnt Bridge. They told her where she had to drive,” Ms Buckman said.
“My mum’s exact words to me were ‘I thought I was going to die,’ she thought that was it.
“She was too scared to not do what they said, she didn’t know if they were armed or not.”
The three perpetrators didn’t get what they wanted and when the 65-year-old said she needed to go to a friend’s house, they made her drive to the Riverside car park where they exited the vehicle. The victim then drove to Kempsey Police Station and reported the incident.
“Mum’s having trouble sleeping now and doesn’t want to speak about it because it’s traumatising for her. She doesn’t want to drive because she’s scared it could happen again.”
“I wish we could drive in our streets without worrying about this sort of thing happening,” Ms Buckman said.
“It’s not an experience anyone should have to go through.”
The offenders are described as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in appearance.
The men are described as being aged in their 30s, one of a slight build, unshaven and wearing dark clothing, while the second is of a heavier build and was also wearing dark clothes.
The woman is believed to be in her mid-20s and was wearing jeans and an orange long sleeve shirt and carrying a blue and white handbag.
The victim was was not injured during the ordeal.
Police are still investigating the incident, anyone with information is urged to contact Kempsey Police on 6561-6199 or Crime Stoppers on 1800-333-000.
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