Hunt for man ‘wearing industrial mask’ who ‘released gas’ on trams full of passengers – as victims left ‘feeling dizzy’
COPS are hunting for a “masked man” who reportedly released gas on trams full of passengers.
Tram users were left scared after a man reportedly discharged a mystery gas on board a Manchester tram.
Multiple incidents of the man releasing gas around the Abraham Moss and Crumpsall areas have been reported to police.
Passengers on board services on the Bury line reported feeling “dizzy and lightheaded” shortly after.
The two reports were made on Saturday March 22 and on Thursday March 20.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has said in a statement that they are assisting with the Greater Manchester Police investigations.
It is thought to be butane gas, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The suspect was allegedly wearing a gas mask covering on his mouth before passengers heard a “hissing” sound and smelt the strong smell of gas, reports the outlet.
One passenger, who got off the service on Thursday told the MEN: “I was sat on the tram and a guy got on at Queen’s Road wearing a blue face mask with an industrial gas mask over the top of that.
“There was a hissing noise and people started looking around. And then we smelt gas, it was really strong. One girl who was near him got up and moved away from him. People looked really concerned.
“I had a headache and felt dizzy and a bit sick. When the tram got to Abraham Moss, myself and a few other people got off and I reported it to the police.”
Another person posted on Facebook: “Last night on my way home from work on the Metrolink from Market Street to Bury, a man got on the back of the crowded tram wearing an industrial grade gas mask wearing a blue hoodie and a back pack.
“After two minutes of him getting in he started too fidget in his pocket, everyone started to worry and panic, lots of people started to run down the tram away from him, the smell and the effect of whatever substance he released was extremely strong I nearly lost consciousness after five seconds.
“I called all the emergency services and was quarantined and detained for four hours in the back of a van. Thankfully I’m alright and everyone else effected seemed ok.
“God knows what we have breathed and I can only thank god for whoever is watching over me as it could of been a lot worse.”
During Saturday’s incident, one witness claimed to see the man “twist the gas canister” to let it out.
Passengers on the tram then had to get off after the unknown gas was released.
A spokesperson for Transport for Greater Manchester said: “We are aware of these incidents on Metrolink and are assisting Greater Manchester Police with their enquiries at this time.
“The safety of our Passengers and staff is a core priority – everyone has the right to feel safe and be safe across the Bee Network.
“Through the TravelSafe partnership our close working relationship with Greater Manchester Police is of vital importance, and we’ll keep working together to continuously improve safety across the network.”