Darwin bus driver allegedly spat on, NT Police searching for trio

Police allege two women and a man each spat on a Darwin bus driver before trying to assault him through a protective barrier. Read the latest.

Police are searching for two women and a man who are alleged to have assaulted a Darwin bus driver on the weekend.

Police are searching for a trio who are alleged to have assaulted a Darwin bus driver at the weekend.

About 6.15pm on Sunday, the bus driver was behind the wheel when one man and two women each allegedly spat on him, before attempting to physically attack him through the protective barrier.

The driver came to a stop along Gilruth Ave at Mindil Beach, where the trio then fled.

It is understood the driver did not complete his shift and was offered medical assistance by his workplace superiors.

ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia (CDC Darwin) – the company who operate the buses – confirmed the driver had been assaulted, but that he had since returned to duties and had the support of his chain-of-command.

It is also understood Transport Workers Union NT/SA are monitoring the victim’s welfare.

No arrests have been made, but police have said investigations into the incident were “ongoing” with a view to finding the trio.

The safety of Darwin’s bus drivers was the focus of government attention in September, after disturbing footage emerged of a passenger climbing over a protective screen and kicking the driver in the head.

At the time, Logistics and Infrastructure Minister Bill Yan lashed the abuse piled upon bus drivers.

“These are absolutely horrendous acts and have the ability to cause so much damage to our community,” he said.

“No one should go to work and think they might be a victim of a crime like this but it’s the reality for many workers in the Territory and it’s not good enough.”

Originally published as Darwin bus driver allegedly spat on, NT Police searching for trio