The Co Derry man seriously injured when he was dragged and hit by another car while trying to stop raiders who had to steal his lorry is in a stable condition in Altnagelvin Hospital.
Adrian McLaughlin (53), from Drum near Dungiven was attending a wake of his father-in-law James McDaid at Elaghbeg in Burnfoot in Inishowen around 7.30pm on Monday when he noticed two men close to his truck.
Garda Superintendent Eugene McGovern said as he approached the men, they got into another car – a silver Mercedes – which was parked close to his vehicle.
He tried to stop the men and managed to hang on to the door of their car as they headed towards the Bridgend roundabout going towards Derry.
However, as the man held on the driver swerved into the path of an oncoming car which struck the man hanging onto the car.
Mayor of Buncrana, Cllr McLaughlin, who witnessed the incident and phoned the ambulance, said the man was “lucky to be alive.”
The man was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital where he is being treated for two broken legs, pelvis and chest injuries.
The car in which the men made their gateaway was found burned out in the Steelstown area of Derry.
Superintendent McGovern said anyone with information about the incident should contact investigating officers at Buncrana Garda Station, telephone (00353) 74 932 0540.
Meanwhile, Mr McDaid will be laid to rest in Cockhill Cemetery in Buncrana following 11.00am Requiem Mass in St Aengus Church, Burt.