'I thought that was it': Australian backpackers recall terrifying gunpoint abduction
Queensland couple Jayson Peter Kelly and Kirsten Smith were just eight weeks in to a nine-month trip of a lifetime when they were abducted, robbed and assaulted at gunpoint in Guatemala.
The duo, both 25 years old, have recounted the terrifying ordeal reminiscent of a drama played out in a movie.
"I actually hoped they shot me in the head to make it quick and as painless as it could have been," Mr Kelly told news.com.au.
The pair were on a shuttle bus in Guatemala when armed bandits took control of their vehicle.
Ten other tourists were also on the bus, including two other Australians, when they were shot at and their vehicle was hijacked.
"We were on a shuttle that was going from Antigua, Guatemala to León in Nicaragua. The shuttle was fully organised and available to be booked through several hostels and legitimate shuttle companies," Mr Kelly said.
What happened?
The shuttle set off at 2am local time on Saturday morning when just two hours into the trip the bandits shot at the van.
They held a number of passengers, including Mr Kelly, hostage as they drove the vehicle through the bush.
It was at this point Mr Kelly thought he was going to die.
"They commandeered our shuttle and jumped into the back and held a gun to my head… they had been shooting at the van like cowboys and once that hot gun was at my head that was it," he said.
When the shuttle bus finally stopped, three men dragged all the tourists out, tied them up with their own shoelaces and robbed them at gunpoint.
"Kirsten also thought it was all over when we all got tied up. She thought that we were going to be shot one by one," Mr Kelly said.
"She was actually tied up next to me and at one point looked at me and asked if we were going to be OK. I had no idea what to say back. I just told her I loved her."
The thieves took computers, cameras, phones, money, wallets and jewellery.
Luckily the bandits threw all passports and identification on the ground, which the tourists were later able to recover.
The female tourists, including Ms Smith, were then assaulted.
"All of the females were touched indecently… I was helpless and forced to endure this," Mr Kelly said.
After about two hours, as the sun started to rise, the bandits fled with the stolen goods.
Ms Smith was able to loosen her shoelaces and untie the other tourists.
Mr Kelly and another tourist ran out to the road to get help.
The aftermath
Taking to Facebook, Mr Kelly thanked family and friends for their well wishes.
"To everyone that's passed on their messages and comments we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. We will be fine although everyone has been shaken up a bit from this. Cheers xx," he wrote.
He told friends it "wasn't fun" and he "might need some help with bank stuff" after they took his phone.
Despite going through the hell they endured, the couple have decided to continue their trip and are safe in Costa Rica.
Mr Kelly said he hopes to warn other Australians who might visit the area.
The couple have now left Guatemala and are safe in Costa Rica. Mr Kelly said he and Ms Smith will never return.
“Guatemala is a beautiful country ruined by three thugs. We, and our friends, will never ever go back.”
