Robina Town Centre: Bus security officer stabbed by young male in staff-only corrid

A transport security worker has been stabbed at a major Gold Coast shopping centre, with a manhunt continuing for the offender.

A bus driver was allegedly stabbed in a corridor at Robina Town Centre.

A bus security officer has been stabbed by a young male inside a Gold Coast shopping centre.

Paramedics treated the 60-year-old network officer, who had been patrolling bus stops at the centre, for a stab wound to the hip.

The offender is still on the run.

The incident occurred inside Robina Town Centre near an entrance beside a Target outlet at about 1pm on Wednesday.

There was a heavy police presence inside the centre with a number of forensics and detectives on scene.

It is understood the incident took place at a corridor between the car park and the shopping centre, where toilet facilities are available to staff.

Police are investigating whether the man’s attacker followed him into the area following an earlier altercation.

Blue curtains have been set up, blocking the crime scene from shoppers.

Witnesses have described how a young teen male allegedly attacked the man before fleeing the scene.

A staff member stands beside screens near where the stabbing took place. Picture: Charlton Hart

A police spokesman said officers were called to Robina Town Centre Dr about 1pm following reports a 60-year-old man had been stabbed in the hip.

He said initial information was that the offender had fled the scene.

The incident occurred near the intersection of Robina Town Centre Dr and Arbour Lane.

Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed the man sustained a non-life-threatening injury. He was taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.

A crime scene had been established and investigations were underway.

Martin Hall, the Executive General Manager for South East Queensland and Tweed for bus company Kinetic, said it was a “deeply distressing” incident.

“Kinetic is providing full support to QPS and our team members following the assault of a Network Officer at Robina Town Centre,” Mr Hall said.

“This is a deeply distressing incident, everyone has the right to be safe at work and the wellbeing of the Network Officer involved is our absolute priority.”

In a statement, Robina Town Centre said it was assisting police with their inquiries.

“Robina Town Centre is assisting Queensland Police with an investigation into an incident earlier today,” a spokesperson said.

“Security were alerted to an injured Kinetic officer in a back-of-house, non-public area shortly before 1pm. Immediate first aid was administered and the scene secured.

“The safety and wellbeing of our entire Robina community remains our overriding concern and something we take very seriously. Our centre is patrolled by our dedicated security team 24 hours a day 7 days a week, supported by an extensive CCTV network.”

It was the second serious assault on a bus worker on the Gold Coast in a matter of months.

In May, three teenagers were charged after a 68-year-old Kinetic bus driver was assaulted in Mudgeeraba, leaving him with a fractured left ankle.

Originally published as Robina Town Centre: Bus security officer stabbed by young male in staff-only corrid