Driver hurt in brick attack

Photo: Matty Worrall

ALL smashed up . . . the damaged tram

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A METROLINK driver was taken to hospital with chest and facial injuries after young thugs hurled a brick through the tram's windscreen.

The incident happened at a footbridge north of the Derker stop as the tram travelled towards Rochdale. Images show a scene of devastation in the driver's carriage, with the windscreen smashed and glass strewn across the floor.

The driver managed to carry on to the next stop where an ambulance was waiting for him at about 9.40pm on Monday.

Witnesses say they saw youths throw the brick from a bridge, which then hit the driver in the chest and caused cuts to his head.

The tram came to an emergency stop, but the driver was able to carry on to Shaw so he could receive treatment, and allow his passengers to safely disembark.

He was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital with chest and facial injuries.

Police say they are investigating the incident and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Johnbaron Atkinson, who was on the tram at the time, said: "Kids in between Derker and Shaw threw a brick off a bridge as tram was doing 50mph.

"It hit the driver in the chest. He still took us to Shaw where an ambulance was waiting for him. What a trooper."

A colleague of the driver said: "He's had an horrific accident and probably doesn't yet know how lucky he is. I wish him well."

Another added: "Tram drivers get a lot of grief just for doing their job, but this takes things to a whole new level.

"Things need to be sorted out, it was only matter of time until a driver got injured."

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: "Attacks on Metrolink will not be tolerated. Recently we have seen far too many reports of missiles being thrown at trams and often through windows, injuring and frightening those on board.

"The consequences of this incident were disgraceful but could have been even worse. I'll be working closely with Metrolink, TfGM, Greater Manchester Police and the Travelsafe team to ensure we are doing all that we can to end these attacks. Nobody in Greater Manchester should be made to feel unsafe while travelling or at work."

Managing director of Metrolink operator RATP Dev Ltd, Chris Coleman, said: "This is a targeted attack on the tram and a disgraceful act by an individual or group with a clear intent to harm. We will not tolerate any actions that put staff and customers in danger and we will do everything in our power to support police to find the culprit.

"We have a clear strategy in place to deal with issues of anti-social behaviour on the network. These types of incidents are not isolated to Metrolink and we are working very closely with local community leaders in the areas we operate to address and reduce these issues."

As part of a targeted response to recent incidents, officers have been undertaking visible patrols along the route.

Danny Vaughan, TfGM's head of Metrolink, said: "I am astonished that someone has thought it acceptable to throw a rock from height towards an oncoming tram.

"This one reckless action has injured the driver and left him, understandably, very shaken. Make no mistake the consequences could have been much worse, not only for the driver but the passengers on board.

"We condemn such behaviour in the strongest possible terms and are working closely with the police, operator and other partners to tackle problems of anti-social behaviour along the line."

A police spokesman said investigations are continuing but no arrests had yet been made.

Anyone with information should call police on 101.