An 82-year-old woman has been beaten unconscious after attempting to stop a fare-dodger from following her through the metro barrier in Amsterdam.
The pensioner was shoved in the back and struck in the chest and ear when she tried to prevent the offender from slipping through the gates at Ganzenhoef metro station on 26 May.
Shocking CCTV footage, shared by Amsterdam Police, shows the man hitting her after forcing his way through the barrier in a brazen attack that has horrified the Dutch capital.
Brutal Attack Caught on CCTV
The attack began as the woman scanned her ticket at approximately 12.20pm before the perpetrator tried to follow her through without paying.
The woman noticed the fare-dodger and stood still, hoping to stop him slipping past and evading the fee.
He then launched a vicious assault, first shoving her before powerfully hitting her on the ear, just below the temple, and then striking her chest.
The man, wearing a blue cap and shirt, light blue jeans and a green jacket, casually walked away before taking an escalator out of the station, showing no concern for the elderly victim he had just assaulted.
Victim Left Alone and Unconscious
The 82-year-old shouted for someone to call the emergency services but there was nobody around to help in the deserted station.
Rather than waiting for assistance that never came, she decided to travel to the city centre where she hoped to find help.
At Central Station, she approached a GVB (Amsterdam’s public transport company) staff member for assistance, but then lost consciousness from her injuries.
The delay in receiving medical attention and the severity of the blows she sustained left her in a critical state by the time she reached help.
Police Hunt Attacker Five Months Later
Police have now released images of the man they are hunting after the May assault, suggesting other investigative methods have so far failed to identify him.
In an Instagram post, Amsterdam Police detailed the shocking sequence of events: “The victim planned to take the metro toward the centre of Amsterdam. Her plans were abruptly disrupted around 12.20pm when she tried to check in at Ganzenhoef metro station.”
“She felt someone trying to slip through the gate behind her. She attempted to stop this by pausing.”
The statement continued: “In response, she was pushed in the back. She pushed back lightly, but was then shoved forward with force. The woman was then struck hard in the ear, just below the temple. After that, she was hit again in the chest.”
Suspect Description
The suspect is described as wearing distinctive clothing that should make him identifiable:
- Blue cap
- Blue shirt
- Light blue jeans
- Green jacket
CCTV images clearly show his face and clothing, which police hope will lead to members of the public recognising and reporting him.
Public Appeal for Information
A police spokesperson said releasing images was used sparingly and only if other investigative methods have failed.
The decision to publish the CCTV footage and suspect’s photograph indicates that traditional detective work has not yielded results in the five months since the attack.
Amsterdam Police are urging anyone who recognises the man or has information about his whereabouts to come forward.
Shocking Violence Over Metro Fare
The brutal attack highlights the dangers faced by elderly people who attempt to challenge anti-social behaviour on public transport.
The fact that the assailant was willing to repeatedly strike an 82-year-old woman simply to avoid paying a metro fare demonstrates callous disregard for her safety and wellbeing.
Transit fare evasion is a common problem in many European cities, but attacks on those who challenge fare-dodgers remain relatively rare, making this assault particularly shocking.
Vulnerable Elderly Woman Targeted
The victim’s age makes the attack especially reprehensible, as an 82-year-old woman poses no physical threat to a younger male offender.
The force used against her, particularly the blow to the temple area, could easily have caused life-threatening injuries given her age and fragility.
That she managed to continue her journey despite serious injuries before collapsing speaks to her determination, but also highlights how she was left without immediate assistance.
Questions Over Station Safety
The incident raises serious questions about safety and staffing levels at Amsterdam metro stations, particularly during off-peak hours.
The fact that the victim shouted for help but found nobody nearby to assist suggests inadequate security presence or supervision at Ganzenhoef station.
Modern metro systems typically have emergency help points and CCTV monitoring that should enable rapid response to such incidents.
Pattern of Transit Violence
The attack is part of a wider pattern of violence on public transport systems across Europe, where fare-dodgers and other offenders sometimes react violently when challenged.
Transport authorities typically advise passengers not to confront fare-dodgers themselves but to report them to staff or police instead.
However, many passengers, particularly older generations who may have stronger views about fare evasion, instinctively challenge those breaking the rules.
Impact on Victim
Beyond the physical injuries that left her unconscious, the psychological trauma of such a violent attack will likely have lasting effects on the 82-year-old woman.
Many elderly assault victims never fully recover their confidence and may become fearful of using public transport or venturing out alone.
The fact she was simply trying to uphold the rules and prevent fare evasion makes the attack even more distressing for her and her family.
Amsterdam Police Investigation
Detectives will have spent the past five months attempting to identify the suspect through various means before resorting to the public appeal.
This likely included checking the suspect’s metro journey records if he used a transport card at any point, reviewing CCTV from other stations and transport hubs, and cross-referencing with known offenders.
The failure of these methods to yield results has necessitated the public appeal with images.
Call for Witnesses
Anyone who was at Ganzenhoef metro station around 12.20pm on 26 May or who recognises the man in the CCTV images is urged to contact Amsterdam Police immediately.
Even seemingly minor information about the suspect’s identity, whereabouts or habits could prove crucial to the investigation.
As the manhunt continues five months after the vicious assault, Amsterdam Police remain determined to bring the attacker to justice and provide closure for the elderly victim who was simply trying to do the right thing.
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