Nick Hitch, a civil engineer who endured a harrowing hostage situation in Algeria, shares his gripping story with Dr. Sian Williams. He recounts surviving a violent attack affiliated with Al-Qaeda, where he faced life-threatening situations alongside colleagues, some of whom tragically did not survive. The conversation dives into the long-lasting effects of trauma, including PTSD, and discusses how Nick now aids fellow survivors through Hostage International. His insights reveal the profound importance of community support and emotional healing in recovery.
Nick Hitch's traumatic experience during a terrorist attack highlights the psychological impact of violence and the enduring struggle with PTSD.
Through his work with Hostage International, Nick emphasizes the importance of empathy and support in the healing journey for trauma survivors.
Deep dives
A Day That Changed Everything
Nick Hitch's life shifted dramatically during a terrorist attack in Algeria while managing a complex gas plant project. Initially feeling safe in the desert environment due to visible security, this sense of security vanished when armed militants assaulted the facility. He vividly recalls the horrifying moment he realized the attack was real, as gunfire erupted around him, forcing him to hide with colleagues. The experience transitioned from a typical workday to a terrifying fight for survival, showcasing the stark contrast between his routine engineering tasks and the chaos of the crisis.
Survival Amidst Chaos
During the hostage situation, Nick experienced profound fear and uncertainty, especially when he was forced to make heart-wrenching phone calls to his wife and mother. The terrorists utilized psychological tactics to instill fear, including wraps of explosive cords around the hostages' necks. As the situation escalated, Nick found himself confronted with imminent danger, including threats of execution. He coped with the terror by praying, although the familiar prayer became a source of anxiety as it triggered traumatic memories in subsequent years.
Healing and Helping Others
After surviving the attack, Nick faced not only physical injuries but the long-term psychological impact of the trauma, including PTSD. He initially believed resources could fix his mental scars, but over time learned that trauma can be a lasting struggle requiring ongoing management. Now, he works with Hostage International, using his experience to support other survivors and their families, emphasizing the importance of presence and listening in the healing process. By sharing his story, Nick offers hope and understanding, highlighting that even profound personal disasters can be survivable with support.
In 2013 Nick Hitch found himself at the heart of a violent attack on a Gas facility in Eastern Algeria. It was later revealed that the militiamen were affiliated to Al-Qaeda. As a senior project manager Nick was deliberately targeted, threatened with execution, forced along with his colleagues to sit for hours in fear of detonating explosives to which they had been attached, and ultimately packed into a vehicle alongside a man with a crude suicide bomb on his knee.
Thirty-nine foreign workers died during the attack, several of them Nick's close colleagues.
Talking to Dr Sian Williams, he describes how the attack unfolded, how the challenges affected and continue to affect him, and how he has sought to put his horrific experience at the service of others who have faced similar trauma.
Producer: Tom Alban
Anyone affected by any of the issues described in this programme can find help and support at
www.hostageinternational.org
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