From thisisbath.co.uk
http://www.thisisbath.com/displayNode.j ... K=12780626
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OAP PUSHED ON TO RAIL LINE
BY DAVID LEWINS
11:00 - 05 July 2005
A SEVENTY-year-old transport campaigner was pushed off a station platform and on to a railway line in an horrific and unprovoked attack. Bleeding and with broken bones, Ray Beatty tried to escape his attackers.
But they followed him, ignored his pleas to stop and continued their savage beating.
The retired journalist has spent a week in hospital after the sudden attack at the station in Bradford on Avon.
He said that in the moments leading up to the incident, the atmosphere on the platform at the station had been cheerful, and he had been chatting to other passengers.
The avid cricket fan had been to Bristol to watch a 20/20 cricket match and had stopped to see friends in the town.
The frequent rail user had been waiting for a train at around 10.30pm when the two attackers struck.
"Two guys appeared and they just began shouting abuse at me," he said. "Suddenly one, or even the two guys together, hurled me on to the track face down.
"I landed between the railway lines. My left foot was broken as was my right arm, and my wrist was fractured. There was blood pouring from my head."
Knowing his train was due in a matter of minutes, Mr Beatty tried to get off the track on to the opposite platform away from his attackers.
"I knew I had to keep my head, so I stood up and walked," he said.
"I decided just to play it cool and nonchalant and wait in an alcove where I wouldn't be visible on the other side of the platform."
But the attackers, one in his 40s and the other aged about 25, crossed over and followed him.
"They continued to be abusive. The young guy swung a fist at me, which is how I got a black eye, and then he tried to headbutt me. The whole time I was shouting 'stop, what you're doing is wrong'.
"I looked them straight in the eye so as not to show them fear. The other passengers were shocked by what was happening. One guy jumped off the platform and ran across the track, held his arm out over me and said 'this is enough'. Another guy, who must have been in his 70s, did the same."
Mr Beatty, who lives in West Wiltshire but who did not want the town named, left the station and the police were called.
"This was random violence," he said. "There was absolutely no provocation whatsoever."
He added: "I wish somebody had called the police sooner, but I've got to give credit to the two guys who stepped in to help me."
As a member of the West Wilts Rail Users Group and chairman of Friends of the Earth West Wilts, Mr Beatty has been involved in numerous campaigns, including the drive to save the London to Waterloo service.
Dc Steve Eyres, of British Transport Police, said two arrests had been made in connection with the incident. Both men have been released on police bail pending inquiries.
He added: "As yet, no one has come forward as an independent witness and we believe there were about 20 people in the station."
Anyone with information about the attack on Tuesday, June 28 is asked to contact the British Transport Police on 0800 405040.
OAP pushed on to a rail line
Re: OAP pushed on to a rail line
It reads like a horror story. The kind of thing where, if it was a film, I'd think it was too over the top to be true.ajr wrote:OAP PUSHED ON TO RAIL LINE
I'd like to think I'd have dived in and helped the bloke, as well as stuck around until the police arrived if I'd had been there, but they're easy words to type I guess.
