A former Matildas player was the victim of a frightening carjacking attempt during a live interview on national radio that left listeners terrified.
Elissia Carnavas (née Canham) was making the first appearance on Tuesday night in an intended weekly spot on SEN Radio’s The Global Game, co-hosted by commentator and journalist Simon Hill and ex-Socceroo and Sydney FC captain Alex Brosque, to talk about women’s football.
Mid-sentence, the 37-year-old suddenly began screaming repeatedly before the line dropped out.
“I have no idea what has gone on there,” Hill said.
Elissia Carnavas, right, during a W-League game in 2009. Credit:Getty
“I really hope Elissia is OK. That’s a very scary moment that’s just happened live on air.”
Hill, the voice of some of the greatest moments in Australian football history during previous commentary roles with SBS and Fox Sports, later posted on Twitter that Carnavas was fine.
“Shout out to @elissiacar who had an awful experience tonight live on @GlobalGameSEN as thieves attempted to hijack her car,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Thankfully, she got out of that situation and is fine. The most terrifying moment of my career that’s for sure, and we’re just relieved she’s OK.”
Carnavas, who lives in Brisbane, was on Temple Street in the inner-southern suburb of Coorparoo at 10.20pm on Tuesday when the incident unfolded, and an investigation is ongoing, Queensland Police have confirmed.
She was sitting in her parked vehicle when five men in a VW Passat pulled up and approached her sedan.
“The males attempted to open the door, with one of them producing a knife and yelling at the woman through the closed driver’s side window,” a police spokesperson said.
“They were unable to gain entry as the vehicle was locked and returned back to the VW Passat before leaving onto Bennetts Road.”
Listeners posted on social media of how the live audio and Carnavas’ screams made their “blood run cold”, while others credited SEN and Hill for handling a tough situation with calmness and grace.
Carnavas, who was born in South Africa, was the first Australian woman of African origin to represent a women’s national team, and also featured in the W-League (now known as A-League Women) for Perth Glory.
She has been approached for comment.
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