A railway station worker has died after suffering serious head injuries in an alleged “unprovoked” attack in east London.
Police said on Saturday (December 7) that a 28-year-old man has been arrested after the worker, 61, was allegedly attacked at an Elizabeth Line station in Ilford.
Officers were called to the hub at about 8.49pm on Wednesday along with paramedics and London’s air ambulance. The customer service assistant was taken to hospital, but later died, according to the British Transport Police.
The incident sparked severe delays on the Elizabeth line for hours. Ayodele Jamgbadi, 28, of Kingston Road, Ilford, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Friday and was remanded in custody to appear at Inner London Crown Court on January 7.
Mr Jamgbadi was initially charged with Section 18 GBH, affray and possession of a prohibited offensive weapon in a private place, but after the victim’s death detectives will seek to update the indictment.
Senior investigating officer, Det Ch Insp Paul Attwell said in a statement: “We have specialist family liaison officers supporting the victim’s family and our thoughts remain with them at this incredibly difficult time.
“I would like to reassure the public that this is an isolated incident and a 28 year old man has now been charged and remanded in connection. We are not seeking anyone else.”
The death of the victim led to tributes, including from a colleague who posted on X that the man was “the most down to earth and friendly bloke you can imagine”.
Mick Lynch, General Secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), issued a statement sending condolences.
He said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our member, who died following an attack while at work.
“The whole union sends its condolences to their family, friends and colleagues at this awful time and everyone’s thoughts at RMT are with them.”
Maryan Eslamdoust, General Secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA Union), said she felt “deeply saddened” at the news.
She said: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a transport worker following a violent incident at Ilford station on December 4. Our thoughts are with his family.
“This underscores the urgent need to expand BTP and make offences against transport workers a specific crime. Action is overdue.”
A colleague of the victim told Metro they didn’t know why the alleged attack happened, describing it as “unprovoked”.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact British Transport Police on 0800 405040 or text 61016 quoting 699 of December 4.
