Bus driver abused and allegedly sprayed with chemicals on Sydney bus
A man who was refused entry on a bus because it was at full capacity has been filmed on CCTV abusing a bus driver and allegedly spraying him in the face with a chemical before running away on Oxford St in Sydney. SEE THE INCREDIBLE VIDEO.
NSW
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A man is on the run after he allegedly sprayed chemicals into a CBD bus driver’s face last night.
The State Transit Authority bus was making a routine stop on Oxford St, Darlinghurst just after 10.30pm on Thursday when the alleged attack occurred.
Police will allege the driver told a man waiting at the bus stop between Flinders and Crown streets that he was not allowed on the bus because it was already full.
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Shocking CCTV footage captured from inside the bus shows the moment the 41-year-old driver was attacked.
A man wearing a blue and white business shirt and carrying a black satchel can be seen trying to enter the bus outside Mr Crackles restaurant on Oxford St before the driver tells him to stop.
The man, who looks to be aged in his 40s, then appears to start arguing with the driver and pointing at other passengers before sitting down near the bus doors.
While appearing to calm down, the man suddenly pulls out a small aerosol canister with his left hand, spraying the helpless driver nine times before running out of the open doors of the bus.
Police believe the chemical was capsicum spray, which can cause eye irradiation, coughing and difficulty breathing.
When asked about his condition by The Daily Telegraph, the driver said that he was okay.
Detective Superintendent Gavin Wood said the attacker was a “coward”.
“It is despicable behaviour, obviously by a coward,” he said.
“The male bus driver was out working hard, working for the community, driving a bus full of commuters, and for that he’s attacked.”
Police are urging the offender to hand himself in.
Officers from Surry Hills Police Area Command immediately conducted a search of the area, but were unable to find the alleged offender among the throng of nearby partygoers.
The bus was travelling Route 392 when the alleged incident unfolded.
Witnesses said the man spoke with an English accent.
The driver was treated by paramedics after he began having trouble breathing. He was sent home from the scene.
Head of Safety at State Transit Wayne Potter said that the driver returned to work today, but is still shocked by the incident.
Originally published as Bus driver abused and allegedly sprayed with chemicals on Sydney bus
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