Thugs boarded bus and attacked driver

May 13 2009 by Gordon Robertson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

A BUS driver was the victim of a terrifying attack by two thugs who tried to rob him.

The 34-year-old was sitting in the cabin of a single-decker bus in Salsburgh when he was targeted.

The vehicle was parked at the corner of David Street on Sunday at around 7.40pm when the two men used an emergency button to open the main passenger door.

After coming on board, they ordered their victim to start driving the bus.

The driver of the Salsburgh-Monklands Hospital service refused to budge and asked the duo to get off the bus.

One of the attackers became aggressive and tried to grab the driver’s mobile phone which was in the breast pocket of his shirt.

A struggle ensued before the thug let go.

It was then that the driver was struck on the head by one of the men who was holding what appeared to be a Buckfast bottle in a bag.

The scene threatened to turn particularly nasty until one of the neds came to his senses.

A source said: “The driver was hit in the head by one of the men but the other one pulled him back from doing anything else.

“Thankfully, they got off the bus and the driver was able to drive away.”

The driver immediately phoned his boss who told him to call the police.

The bus has three CCTV cameras and cops are studying footage in a bid to identify the duo.

Airdrie Police have issued descriptions of the two men.

One was said to be aged between 18 and 25-years-old, of medium build, 6ft tall with short-blond hair and wearing a white tracksuit.

The second man was of similar age and height but with short-black hair. He was wearing a dark jacket with a zipped or buttoned front.

A police source said: “We are keen to talk to anyone who was in the area at the time of this attack.

“The driver was on the bus on his own when the two men came on but someone passing might have see something.”

Anyone with information should call Airdrie Police on 01236 505100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.