2020 Bayonne bus assault
The 2020 Bayonne bus assault was an assault on a bus driver in Bayonne in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine area of southwest France on 5 July 2020. The driver was declared brain dead the day after the attack.<ref namebbc-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-being-attacked/><ref namethe-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/>
The assault
The driver had refused to let several people on the bus because they had no tickets and were not wearing masks.<ref namebbc-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-being-attacked/><ref namethe-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/> Masks are mandatory on public transport in France because of COVID-19.<ref namebbc-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-being-attacked/><ref namethe-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/>
The driver was repeatedly punched by members of the group.<ref namebbc-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-being-attacked/><ref namethe-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/> According to union representatives, he tried to stop the people from bringing a dog onto the bus.<ref namebbc-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-being-attacked/> The driver stepped out of the bus and was hit in the head by one of the group, resulting in a serious injury.<ref namethe-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/>
The driver was unconscious when brought to hospital and was declared brain dead on 6 July 2020.<ref name=the-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/>
Aftermath
The mayor of Bayonne condemned the attack.<ref namebbc-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-being-attacked/><ref namethe-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/>
Bus services were disrupted in the region on 6 July as drivers refused to work in protest against the assault.<ref namethe-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/> Regional bus company Chronoplus was criticised for not having done enough to ensure driver's safety.<ref namethe-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/>
The assault
The driver had refused to let several people on the bus because they had no tickets and were not wearing masks.<ref namebbc-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-being-attacked/><ref namethe-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/> Masks are mandatory on public transport in France because of COVID-19.<ref namebbc-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-being-attacked/><ref namethe-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/>
The driver was repeatedly punched by members of the group.<ref namebbc-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-being-attacked/><ref namethe-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/> According to union representatives, he tried to stop the people from bringing a dog onto the bus.<ref namebbc-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-being-attacked/> The driver stepped out of the bus and was hit in the head by one of the group, resulting in a serious injury.<ref namethe-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/>
The driver was unconscious when brought to hospital and was declared brain dead on 6 July 2020.<ref name=the-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/>
Aftermath
The mayor of Bayonne condemned the attack.<ref namebbc-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-being-attacked/><ref namethe-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/>
Bus services were disrupted in the region on 6 July as drivers refused to work in protest against the assault.<ref namethe-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/> Regional bus company Chronoplus was criticised for not having done enough to ensure driver's safety.<ref namethe-local-french-bus-driver-left-brain-dead-after-attack/>
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