Passengers said they were were left feeling dizzy and panicked after a masked man released a ‘strong smelling gas’ on a tram in Manchester.
Lauren, who only gave her first name, was travelling from Market Street to Bury on her Metrolink carriage last night when she saw a man join the carriage at about 8.30pm.
She described the man, who joined the Metrolink at Queen’s Road, as someone in their 30s who was wearing a black industrial gas mask and a blue backpack.
Lauren told Metro: ‘I was sat across from him and watched him fidgeting, taking his back pack on and off looking for something.
‘He seemed anxious and wasn’t looking at anyone – that’s when I knew something bad was going to happen.
‘I then watched him reach inside his pocket and saw a silver metal tube in his pocket.
‘I heard the woman in front of me tell her friend she wanted to get off but her friend said it was a vape. I thought he same thing but then within 30 seconds I saw him twist it and heard the gas leaking out.
‘Within a few seconds, I was hit by the strong gas smell and immediately got up and said “What is that?” and ran to the other end of the busy tram.’
The 23-year-old said the masked man didn’t say or do anything as he released the gas, instead he just stood still.
Some passengers got off at the next stop, but many, including the driver, stayed on despite others warning them to get off, Lauren said.
She added she then ran away from the crowd as she didn’t know where the man was, but thought he might be still on the tram, before calling her mum.
Lauren said she then saw him moments later, adding: ‘He was pacing up and down the road in front of the tram stop on the phone to someone.’
The ordeal left her ‘very shaken up’ and struggling to sleep because ‘all I could think was how badly it could have turned out.’
She added: ‘I don’t believe he acted alone.’
Another passenger, who got off the service, told the Manchester Evening News: ‘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.’
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A Transport for Greater Manchester spokesperson told Metro: ‘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.’
Greater Manchester Police were contacted for comment.
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