Katie Price ‘has realised how much she loves Kieran Hayler’ after terrifying carjacking nightmare in South Africa
KATIE Price's horrific carjacking ordeal in South Africa has made her realise how much she loves husband Kieran, pals claim.
The mother-of-five, 39, reportedly wished Kieran was by her side at the time of the robbery and wants him around to protect their family, telling a friend: "I've realised I can't live without him."
"She's told pals she knows how much he loves her. He was a nervous wreck after being told about the robbery and just wanted to get the first flight out to be with her."
The couple's relationship has been up in the air since August last year when it was revealed Kieran had cheated on Katie again with her nanny.
However, the traumatic ordeal appears to have helped her move on from his infidelity.
Katie recently told how she and two of her children were ambushed by carjackers in South Africa — and said: “We’re lucky to be alive.”
They were with a film crew when three thugs forced their way into their 4x4.
A minder was hit in the face and gems, cash, laptops and camera gear worth tens of thousands of pounds in total were snatched.
Model and businesswoman Katie told a friend: “We are lucky to be alive, it could have been much worse.”
It is understood the nightmare was witnessed by Junior, 12, and Princess, ten — her children with ex-husband Peter Andre.
Terrified Katie hugged them as the car was ransacked.
A source said: “The robbers seemed to be off their heads. They were screaming threats and ordering all the passengers not to move.
“Everyone in the car was terrified, because they had no idea if they were just being robbed for money, if the gang might try to kidnap them — or worse.
“One brave member of the team tried to stop them, but was hit in the face.
“After the thieves fled Katie was left shaken and traumatised.”
The thieves also grabbed the keys to the 4x4 and threw them in bushes so they could not be chased.
They pounced as Katie — shooting the second series of fly-on-the-wall show My Crazy Life — was being driven from Johannesburg to Swaziland.
The 4x4 pulled up on a darkened road in the town of Chrissiesmeer in Mpumalanga province at around 8pm so the kids could go to the toilet.
The attackers were lurking nearby and are believed to have fled afterwards in a VW Polo.
There were members of the TV crew in another 4x4 but it is not known if they were also caught up in the robbery.
Katie told friends she had diamonds stolen from her.
Local tourist safety official Athol Stark said: “This was a group of opportunist robbers who saw people pull over and robbed them.
“They were in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
His team sent tow trucks to haul Katie’s vehicle to a hotel around 45 minutes away.
He added: “We took them to a place of safety for the night. The next morning, when we realised she was someone big in the UK and was filming, we moved them to a secure, private location.
“Katie and her children were still jittery. Once the gates were shut and security was on the door, they began to relax.”
Although one member of Katie’s group is thought to have returned home, the rest continued on their trip to neighbouring Swaziland.
Mr Stark added: “As they left on Saturday, Katie gave me and my wife a hug. She realised it was a regrettable incident but wasn’t the end of the world.”
Police chief Brigadier Leonard Hlathi confirmed: “A British tourist and her two children were the victims of a robbery when they stopped on a road to allow the children to relieve themselves by the road.
“The car came to a stop in a very dark place and that is when three men attacked them.
“They have taken items including cash and laptops and personal items and then took the car keys from the ignition and threw them into the bush and ran off leaving them stuck by the side of the road.
“We received a call and went to help and were able to retrieve the car keys and assist those who were robbed.
“One man had an injury to his eye and was taken to hospital and treated and discharged.
“Those involved did not wish to give statements but we have opened a docket for robbery and are investigating and are appealing for information and witnesses but there have been no arrests as of yet.
“We would request tourists not to be scared on the road but to never to stop in very dark places and if you want to relax rather look for places in the light which are much safer.
“You should not stop or you become a victim of criminals who have no respect of the law.”
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