American Trucker Free

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-20-2003
American Trucker Free
3
Sun, 05-02-2004 - 1:57pm
Just when I was thinking what happened to this guy, his face shows up as safe. Thank god.....

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&e=2&u=/nm/20040502/ts_nm/iraq_hostage_dc



Top Stories - Reuters

American Trucker Free After 3 Weeks as Iraq Hostage

Sun May 2,10:05 AM ET



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By Tom Perry

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - American trucker Thomas Hamill, held hostage in Iraq (news - web sites) for three weeks after insurgents attacked his convoy, was safe with U.S. forces after apparently escaping from his captors, the U.S. military said Sunday.


Reuters Photo



"It looked like it was an escape," Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt told a news conference in Baghdad.

A U.S. patrol found Hamill south of Tikrit, the home town of ousted leader Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) and hotbed of anti-U.S. insurgents.

"Preliminary reports that we have would indicate that he had escaped from a building. When he saw the American forces, identified himself and was subsequently recovered," Kimmit said.

Hamill's wife Kellie was elated.

"I feel wonderful, it's the best feeling I've had. I am so ecstatic and I just want to thank everybody that has prayed and sent their prayers to us. Thank you all so very much," she said.

"I've talked to the company, that's what I'm trying to do is keep the lines open so I can talk to him," she told KDKA radio as quoted by CNN.

Hamill, who worked from a subsidiary of the U.S. Halliburton company, is thought to be the only survivor from an assault on a convoy west of Baghdad on April 9. Several civilians and two U.S. soldiers were missing after the attack.

Hamill's captors threatened to kill or maim him unless U.S. forces lifted their siege of the city of Falluja.

At around the same time, insurgents around Iraq seized a number of hostages. Most were released eventually but an Italian hostage was murdered and three compatriots are still being held.

Halliburton greeted the freedom of Hamill, 43, a struggling Mississippi farmer who drove trucks in Iraq for its subsidiary Kellogg Brown and Root, "with great joy and relief."

"This is one of those pivotal moments when we hope all those in Iraq -- soldiers, civilian workers and the Iraqi people -- feel the support of a united America," it said in a statement issued in Houston.

"Tommy is a courageous hero and we are proud of his resolve, resilience and refusal to give up hope."

Television footage after the attack on Hamill's convoy showed him being driven away by armed men.

Asked how long Hamill had been free before he was found, Kimmitt said: " We don't know that information. We will find that out, I'm sure that he will be glad to tell his story...

"He has spoken to his family and now is ready to get back to work.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2003
Mon, 05-03-2004 - 9:37am
Awesome news! I just heard a radio interview with his mom. Not only is this Sunday Mother's Day, but the 6th is Hamill's b-day; perfect timing. ;)

He actually escaped Thursday, but went back to his cell after wandering about in the desert w/o water for a few hours. Aparently he wasn't missed, and Saturday when he heard the convoy drive past, he escaped again. He also identified 2 of his captors who were then taken into custody.

His mom didn't really know much about his physical condition except that the bullet wound in his arm had been infected and that he had received a skin graft in Germany.

Renee

Avatar for independentgrrrl
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 05-03-2004 - 11:08am
Praise God!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
Tue, 05-04-2004 - 12:15pm
Wonderful news. How relieved his family must be.
cl-Libraone~

 


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