Post by Scott (Former Account) on Nov 1, 2007 17:33:07 GMT -8
Group of teenage girls swarm female transit bus driver
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Vancouver Police are investigating a disturbing swarming attack on a transit bus driver last night in East Vancouver. Police say it happened after the woman driver stopped at Commerical Drive and Napier around 10:30 pm.
Police say when she offered Halloween candy to a group of teenage girls, they dragged her out of the bus and beat her up, with 2 teenage girls wearing Santa Suits doing most of the assaulting. The VPD says it was unprovoked, with no evidence the bus driver did anything to trigger the assault. The driver was traumatized but police report no serious injuries.
Drew Snider with TransLink says the incident brings up the ongoing issue of driver safety. "We have been taking measures with the union and other experts to improve that. One of the things we're doing is bringing in a new radio transmission system, which will allow drivers to communicate immediately if there's a threat to their safety."
About an hour later, the same vacant bus was lit on fire while it was waiting to be driven back to the TransLink garage. Police say early indications show the fire was intentionally set. Graffiti was also written on the bus. Both the police and fire departments are investigating.
© 2007 Rogers Communications Inc. ™Rogers Broadcasting Ltd.
Artice on News 1130 site, including photographs.
**The bus torched was 2147, a New Flyer E40LFR.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Vancouver Police are investigating a disturbing swarming attack on a transit bus driver last night in East Vancouver. Police say it happened after the woman driver stopped at Commerical Drive and Napier around 10:30 pm.
Police say when she offered Halloween candy to a group of teenage girls, they dragged her out of the bus and beat her up, with 2 teenage girls wearing Santa Suits doing most of the assaulting. The VPD says it was unprovoked, with no evidence the bus driver did anything to trigger the assault. The driver was traumatized but police report no serious injuries.
Drew Snider with TransLink says the incident brings up the ongoing issue of driver safety. "We have been taking measures with the union and other experts to improve that. One of the things we're doing is bringing in a new radio transmission system, which will allow drivers to communicate immediately if there's a threat to their safety."
About an hour later, the same vacant bus was lit on fire while it was waiting to be driven back to the TransLink garage. Police say early indications show the fire was intentionally set. Graffiti was also written on the bus. Both the police and fire departments are investigating.
© 2007 Rogers Communications Inc. ™Rogers Broadcasting Ltd.
Artice on News 1130 site, including photographs.
**The bus torched was 2147, a New Flyer E40LFR.
