haven't you heard/didn't you hear

[misiania]

I have filled out the text below, but I was wondering whether it is possible in number 26 to use past simple (didn't you hear)? Is he referring to the general knowledge here? I know the difference between the present perfect and past simple but for some reason I think both answers would be correct.

“Well, if I (15) were (be) you,” he said, “I (16) would catch (catch) the coach. That should get you to Portsmouth before the ferry (17) sails (sail). But you (18) have (have) to hurry, it (19) leaves (leave) the bus station in about five minutes!”.
We shot off like lightning despite the heavy rucksacks on our backs and jumped on the coach just as the driver (20) was shutting (shut) the doors. We (21) had just collapsed (just collapse) in our seats with a sigh of relief, when the driver announced, “Sorry everyone but the motorway (22) is still being repaired (still repair) so we (23) won't get (not get) to Portsmouth until 9.45”.
We groaned in despair. That gave us only fifteen minutes to get to the ferry terminal.
We arrived at Portsmouth bus station at 9.40 and jumped straight into a taxi.
“The Santander ferry terminal and please hurry” I shouted, “or it (24) will go (go) before we (25) get (get) there!”
To our astonishment, the taxi driver calmly switched off the engine and turned round.
“(26) Haven't you heard (not hear)?” he said, smiling, “the ferry workers (27) came (come) out on strike last night!”
“Oh no!” I cried in disbelief. “If only I (28) had listened (listen) to the news this morning!”

 

[emsr2d2]

I have filled out the text below, but I was wondering whether it is possible in number 26 to use past simple (didn't you hear)?

“Well, if I (15) were (be) you,” he said, “I (16) would catch (catch) the coach. That should get you to Portsmouth before the ferry (17) sails (sail). But you (18) have (have) to hurry, it (19) leaves (leave) the bus station in about five minutes!”.
We shot off like lightning despite the heavy rucksacks on our backs and jumped on the coach just as the driver (20) was shutting (shut) the doors. We (21) had just collapsed (just collapse) in our seats with a sigh of relief, when the driver announced, “Sorry everyone but the motorway (22) is still being repaired (still repair) so we (23) won't get (not get) to Portsmouth until 9.45”.
We groaned in despair. That gave us only fifteen minutes to get to the ferry terminal.
We arrived at Portsmouth bus station at 9.40 and jumped straight into a taxi.
“The Santander ferry terminal and please hurry” I shouted, “or it (24) will go (go) before we (25) get (get) there!”
To our astonishment, the taxi driver calmly switched off the engine and turned round.
“(26) Haven't you heard (not hear)?” he said, smiling, “the ferry workers (27) came (come) out on strike last night!”
“Oh no!” I cried in disbelief. “If only I (28) had listened (listen) to the news this morning!”

That's great. They're all correct. "Haven't you heard?" is what I would use, although I know some people use "Didn't you hear?"

 

[BobK]

To me, they're different questions , though some speakers in certain parts of the world have decided - perhaps with reason - that the difference is too slight to bother with. ;-)

b