A BUS driver was today recovering at home after being stabbed in a row with a passenger.He had refused to take a passenger into town after he refused to pay the fare – and was then slashed with a knife.
By Georgina James
A BUS driver was today recovering at home after being stabbed in a row with a passenger.
He had refused to take a passenger into town after he refused to pay the fare – and was then slashed with a knife.
The driver's arm was cut and the sleeve of his uniform ripped.
He was not seriously hurt, but was badly shaken and has been allowed time off work to recover from the ordeal.
Ipswich Buses were today reviewing security on their services – but company bosses admitted there was little more that they could do.
"This was a dreadful incident. Fortunately the driver wasn't badly hurt, he just had a slight cut to his upper arm.
"But it could have been much worse – he's been thinking what if it the man had slashed his throat or worse," said commercial manager Bill Scott.
Ipswich Buses managing director Malcolm Robson said security was being reviewed, and the company would be speeding up the introduction of CCTV cameras in its vehicles.
"This is the kind of incident that can happen at any time anywhere on our network – and there is a limited amount that we can.
"We have been relatively lucky in Ipswich that violence on buses has not been too bad, but this is shocking," he added.
The driver of the bus had stopped at the bus stop in Greenfinch Avenue, opposite Hawthorn Drive at about 9.30pm on Friday to pick up a passenger.
The man got on the bus and demanded to be taken into the centre of Ipswich without paying the fare.
When the driver refused to take him, the man wielding a knife, lashed out at the driver and then ran off.
The driver proceeded with his journey and then pulled the bus over where he discovered he had a slight cut to arm which had pierced through his shirt.
The attacker is described as black, aged between 25-32 years, approximately 6ft 2ins, of slim build, with a clean shaven head. He was wearing blue jeans and a black jumper.
Police are appealing for witnesses to this incident and would like to hear from anybody who recognises the attacker from the description to contact Pc James Mcauley at Ipswich police on 01473 613500.
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