Watch shocking moment BBC News star is grabbed live on air and cameraman is shoved as they are ordered to stop filming

A BBC News reporter was grabbed by a member of the public live on air before the cameraman was shoved in shocking scenes.

The BBC‘s China correspondent Stephen McDonnell experienced hostility as he attempted to do a report after at least 35 people died with more than 40 injured after an enraged driver ploughed into them outside a stadium with his SUV.

Stephen was live at the scene in the aftermath of the incident where he attempted to report on the horror that had unfolded but was immediately stopped in his tracks after being hounded by a ‘local’.

The journalist could be seen delivering the latest updates down the lens of the camera before being confronted by a seemingly enraged individual.

The person wandered over and attempted to stand in front of Stephen as he said: “Stop filming, stop filming!”

He attempted to push and manhandle Stephen before turning his attempts to the cameraman as he placed his hands over the lens in a bid to stop the recording from taking place.

Tensions became high as the passer-by remarked: “Stop filming, you should leave now.”

He then furiously grabbed Stephen leading to the reporter snapping back to say: “Don’t grab me!”

Writing for the BBC News‘ website, Stephen suggested that the ambush was a ploy by local Communist Party officials who pose as unhappy locals who bombard journalists in the hopes of keeping certain events and stories under wraps.

Stephen said in his piece for the BBC: “[They] organise groups of cadres to pretend to be outraged locals who have been given the role of targeting foreign reporters and preventing any coverage.”

As he was being pushed by the man, he also alluded to what was going on during his on-camera report as he said: “Then you have this type of thing when the government try to stop…”

The confrontation continued as Stephen and the cameraman began to slowly move from the scene as they were hounded with questions about “press cards” and being continuously told to “stop filming”.

Stephen said to the man: “You don’t have the right to bother us, it is not your concern.”

The initial news story concerned a number of people being left dead after a bitter and jealous man ploughed into crowds after being left raging at his recent divorce.

Initial police reports said the sick man circled the sport complex several times and drove down exercisers after he became dissatisfied with the division of property in a divorce.

The 62-year-old driver, with the surname Fan, then stabbed himself in the neck in an act of self-harm and fell into a coma after the attack, Global Times reports.

Video published on Chinese social media shows bodies lying on the ground in pools of blood and lost shoes lying across the asphalt.

Later, police and emergency services could be seen next to the car shining a torch into the driver’s seat after it was pulled over.

Those who dodged the speeding motor bravely tended to the people who had been hit – but 27 ambulances were still needed to treat the injured.

Videos were posted online but were quickly censored by Chinese authorities, a report claimed.

Japan‘s public broadcaster was blocked by Chinese censors after it aired video of the attack.