Train driver and guard attacked at Moss Side station near Lytham

weepingwillowb · 7 Mar 2024

Lytham: Man charged over train driver and conductor attack

Police said a 34-year-old man has been recalled to prison following an incident at a Lytham station.

www.bbc.co.uk

"A man has been sent back to prison after a train driver and conductor were attacked. Police were called to Moss Side railway station at Lytham in Lancashire at about 19:15 GMT on Monday. They said after the attack the suspect stood on the railway tracks, preventing the train from leaving the station. Lancashire Police said a man, 34, has been charged with two counts of assault, a public order offence and trespass."

Photo from Wikipedia, and taken, I think, by Yorky99 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moss_Side_railway_station,_The_Fylde.jpg

RailUK Forums

Merseysider · 7 Mar 2024

Nice to see scum like this getting put where they belong. Far too many slaps on the wrist nowadays.

Versa274 · 7 Mar 2024

Why and how did they get assaulted?
If i were the driver i would of instructed the guard to stay on the train and myself locked in the cab/train itself.
If an unstable man were on the tracks i would of notified BTP from inside my cab to avoid assault.
I would not take sides on this scenario as both sides would be at fault by indangering themselves and possibly more passengers.
But good the man has been apprehended.

rg177 · 7 Mar 2024

Versa274 said:
If an unstable man were on the tracks i would of notified BTP from inside my cab to avoid assault.

"after the attack the suspect stood on the railway tracks, preventing the train from leaving the station"

While there is no detail provided about what happened prior, it's stated that the individual attacked the traincrew and then went onto the tracks.

Edit - in fact the image caption states "The driver heard a disturbance and left his cab at the station after hearing a disturbance in the carriage, say police"

So something kicked off on the train, the driver has gone to assist his colleague, both were assaulted.

Versa274 · 7 Mar 2024

rg177 said:
"after the attack the suspect stood on the railway tracks, preventing the train from leaving the station"

While there is no detail provided about what happened prior, it's stated that the individual attacked the traincrew and then went onto the tracks.

Edit - in fact the image caption states "The driver heard a disturbance and left his cab at the station after hearing a disturbance in the carriage, say police"

So something kicked off on the train, the driver has gone to assist his colleague, both were assaulted.

But surely blocking the train would of been a waste of time as he already incompassitated the driver and guard? Would be interesting to know how all this materiated though.
Im assuming the driver/guard may have approached the man but who knows.

weepingwillowb · 7 Mar 2024

More information in the local paper, the Lytham St Annes News.

Perverted Passenger Kicked Off Train At Moss Side Station - Lytham St Annes News

A train passenger was arrested at Moss Side Station yesterday (Wednesday 6th March) after reportedly attacking the driver and conductor before standing on the track to stop it from moving. An eye-witness alleges that the perverted passenger was naked and that his genitalia was on full view to...

www.lythamstannes.news

"A train passenger was arrested at Moss Side Station yesterday (Wednesday 6th March) after reportedly attacking the driver and conductor before standing on the track to stop it from moving. An eye-witness alleges that the perverted passenger was naked and that his genitalia was on full view to the confused commuters. British Transport Police say that the man has been charged with a public order offence as well as assault and railway trespass. Lytham St Anne’s News can today (Thursday 7th March) reassure any troubled travellers that the disrobed deviant is now back in jail.

"British Transport Police Lancashire (see below) said they received an ’emergency call’ to attend Moss Side Station in Lytham St Anne’s following a ‘disturbance on a train’. They added that a passenger has reportedly ‘punched the train driver multiple times’ and then ‘assaulted the train conductor’.

"The passenger then left the train and stood on the track to prevent it from moving. Officers arrested a 34-year old man on suspicion of assault, a public order offence and railway trespass.

"He has since been charged with the offences and recalled to prison."

Trainman40083 · 7 Mar 2024

Was he then banned from all railway property for life?

43066 · 7 Mar 2024

Versa274 said:
I would not take sides on this scenario as both sides would be at fault by indangering themselves and possibly more passengers.

So two railway staff have been attacked by someone who has been charged with assault (and the article states has been sent back to prison, so presumably was out on license) but you’re not going to take sides. :rolleyes:

skyhigh · 7 Mar 2024

Versa274 said:
I would not take sides on this scenario as both sides would be at fault by indangering themselves and possibly more passengers.

Ah yes, the train crew were totally as much at fault as the person who assaulted them, of course. But you're not taking sides.

Not to mention the fact that cab doors on a 150 are about as solid as a paper bag if someone was determined to break through.

Versa274 said:
Im assuming the driver/guard may have approached the man but who knows.

You clearly don't yet are still blaming the crew!!

43066 · 7 Mar 2024

skyhigh said:
Ah yes, the train crew were totally as much at fault as the person who assaulted them, of course. But you're not taking sides.

Not to mention the fact that cab doors on a 150 are about as solid as a paper bag if someone was determined to break through.

You clearly don't yet are still blaming the crew!!

And people wonder why so many railway employees regard this forum as anti staff!

pokemonsuper9 · 7 Mar 2024

skyhigh said:
Not to mention the fact that cab doors on a 150 are about as solid as a paper bag if someone was determined to break through.

Looking at RTT I think it was a 156. Looks like all Blackpool South trains that day were either 156419 or 156426.

northwichcat · 7 Mar 2024

A few years ago I was waiting for a train. Some other people waiting spotted someone in dark clothing on the track (in the opposite direction from where the train was coming from). The train arrived, someone told the driver they may be someone on the tracks. The driver put on hi-vis and investigated. The person didn't appear to still be there. The train then departed but the driver moved off very slowly and remained at that speed for around 1/2 mile. It seemed a sensible approach.

Merseysider · 7 Mar 2024

skyhigh said:
Ah yes, the train crew were totally as much at fault as the person who assaulted them, of course. But you're not taking sides.

Not to mention the fact that cab doors on a 150 are about as solid as a paper bag if someone was determined to break through.

You clearly don't yet are still blaming the crew!!

Don’t feed the troll

Lurcheroo · 7 Mar 2024

Versa274 said:
But surely blocking the train would of been a waste of time as he already incompassitated the driver and guard? Would be interesting to know how all this materiated though.
Im assuming the driver/guard may have approached the man but who knows.

To assume, makes an ass out of u and me.

When you’re out working a service as driver and guard, it’s just the 2 of you, you work together and you look after each other, and the very large majority of train crew understand that and want to look after each other, it’s a 2 way street, you look after me and I’ll look after you.

I’d be highly surprised if you’re train crew (and I think we should be glad about it based on the replies), and you clearly know nothing about what happened so probably shouldn’t be saying who should have done what.

northwichcat said:
A few years ago I was waiting for a train. Some other people waiting spotted someone in dark clothing on the track (in the opposite direction from where the train was coming from). The train arrived, someone told the driver they may be someone on the tracks. The driver put on hi-vis and investigated. The person didn't appear to still be there. The train then departed but the driver moved off very slowly and remained at that speed for around 1/2 mile. It seemed a sensible approach.

Seems a very sensible approach. Nobody wants the consequences and aftermath of what happens if they’re still knocking around and the train is going at speed.

skyhigh · 7 Mar 2024

pokemonsuper9 said:
Looking at RTT I think it was a 156. Looks like all Blackpool South trains that day were either 156419 or 156426.

Not much difference with a 156 to be honest.

riceuten · 7 Mar 2024

Merseysider said:
Nice to see scum like this getting put where they belong. Far too many slaps on the wrist nowadays.

Bring back the birch/cane/hangingzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Most people who aren't sent to prison aren't sent because

i) they are already full
ii) they are universities of crime - go in as a minor offender, come out as a grade A1 crim

randyrippley · 7 Mar 2024

It wouldn't surprise me if it was someone on release from Kirkham prison. They have some low security psychiatric cases there. Only a couple of miles down the road, with several local rehabilitation houses

SteveM70 · 7 Mar 2024

Naked AND his genitalia on full view?

Journalism is great these days

Towers · 7 Mar 2024

Versa274 said:
Why and how did they get assaulted?
If i were the driver i would of instructed the guard to stay on the train and myself locked in the cab/train itself.
If an unstable man were on the tracks i would of notified BTP from inside my cab to avoid assault.
I would not take sides on this scenario as both sides would be at fault by indangering themselves and possibly more passengers.
But good the man has been apprehended.

What a bizarre comment.

As for the offender, certainly a possibility that the individual may have had ‘issues’ beyond just being a thug by the sound of it.

rg177 · 7 Mar 2024

From a (former) staff point of view though, I'm relieved that he's back in prison, even if it's questionable as to what he was doing out of there in the first place.

I've ended up testifying in court against a passenger who decided to drunkenly expose himself to a train full of kids then threaten myself and colleagues unprovoked. He was captured on CCTV and even arrested by the police (which was a rarity). The result? £100 fine or so.

Some people will be violent/threatening no matter whether or not they're 'provoked', especially when under the influence of something else.

Towers · 7 Mar 2024

Versa274 said:
But surely blocking the train would of been a waste of time as he already incompassitated the driver and guard? Would be interesting to know how all this materiated though.
Im assuming the driver/guard may have approached the man but who knows.

It is the guard’s job to approach passengers, that’s sort of what they do. It is entirely reasonable for a driver to go to their colleague’s aid if they require it, that’s basic humanity. It is very highly unlikely that the traincrew are at fault for being attacked by a naked lunatic.

randyrippley · 8 Mar 2024

Versa274 said:
Im assuming the driver/guard may have approached the man but who knows.

I'm assuming the "prisoner" was enjoying his freedom by getting out of his head with fentanyl and/or spice or similar.
I'm told they're the prison drugs of choice.
Not much you can do if that's correct as pain becomes fairly irrelevant with those drugs, as does logic.

Versa274 said:
But surely blocking the train would of been a waste of time as he already incompassitated the driver and guard? Would be interesting to know how all this materiated though.

He was probably out of his head on drugs. Rationalities over a "waste of time" would have been totally irrelevant.
All he was worried about was the world as seen through a drugged reality distortion

Deafdoggie · 8 Mar 2024

Versa274 said:
Why and how did they get assaulted?
If i were the driver i would of instructed the guard to stay on the train and myself locked in the cab/train itself.
If an unstable man were on the tracks i would of notified BTP from inside my cab to avoid assault.
I would not take sides on this scenario as both sides would be at fault by indangering themselves and possibly more passengers.
But good the man has been apprehended.

If I were a guard, I wouldn't want you as my driver! It's all about team work, you watch out for each other. Guards have to expose (no pun intended) themselves to the public. Even if just stepping onto the platform to open & close doors. If there's a deranged lunatic out there attacking you your colleague locking themselves away and not helping isn't going to help the situation!

Bluejays · 8 Mar 2024

Not a nice thing to experience while doing your job. Certainly doesn't sounds as if there's much of 'another side to the story' that one poster seems to want to believe.

Although the assailant needs to watch out aswell I'd suggest. A t-key could do a lot of damage to an exposed nutsack if he tries this again with the wrong person

sportzbar · 8 Mar 2024

Versa274 said:
Why and how did they get assaulted?
If i were the driver i would of instructed the guard to stay on the train and myself locked in the cab/train itself.
If an unstable man were on the tracks i would of notified BTP from inside my cab to avoid assault.
I would not take sides on this scenario as both sides would be at fault by indangering themselves and possibly more passengers.
But good the man has been apprehended.

But by your way of thinking, then its not safe for any member of staff to leave the cab if something untoward is happening in the saloon. The first responsibility of train crew is the safety of the train and passengers. This was the case in this incident.

Nobody should be assaulted at work but unfortunately some people see the uniform as "authority" and they want to attack that authority.

If you were the guard on my train and you had an attitude like that, I can guarantee I won't be driving anywhere until I have a guard I can rely on as we work as a team together.....

bishdunster · 8 Mar 2024

Back in the 70s it would have been swiftly dealt with by the application af a Bardic to the testicles/face (delete as applicable), no further action by civil or BTP o_O

uglymonkey · 8 Mar 2024

terrible, would you call BTP in these circumstances? Quicker to call 999 ( which maybe customers did?) - as more police than BTP and quicker response?

Towers · 8 Mar 2024

uglymonkey said:
terrible, would you call BTP in these circumstances? Quicker to call 999 ( which maybe customers did?) - as more police than BTP and quicker response?

Response times vary for either and very much depend on what officers might be available where; also some local forces will simply try to divert any railway related matter back to the BTP rather than attend themselves. In this instance I’d have thought the nature of the individual’s behaviour would clearly be more suited to a local force attendance, as BTP aren’t equipped to do a great deal beyond take him to the local force custody suite anyway and may not have the familiarity with him or access to details that his local force might do.

185 · 8 Mar 2024

BTP would be a 1-2 hour wait there and the home office & DfT should insist that all 999 calls by railway staff should have the nearest police attend ONLY unless BTP are less than 10 minutes away. Seen a major incident, a grade one call downgraded after BTP "took the job" driving from 34 miles away, despite regular cops being 300 yards away offering to help.

matchmaker · 8 Mar 2024

bishdunster said:
Back in the 70s it would have been swiftly dealt with by the application af a Bardic to the testicles/face (delete as applicable), no further action by civil or BTP

Indeed!

Train driver and guard attacked at Moss Side station near Lytham

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