Whitburn, Scotland – A National Health Service (NHS) worker, Diane Hawthorn, experienced a terrifying ordeal while commuting home from St Johns Hospital in Livingston. On April 17, a group of unruly youngsters, aged between 12 and 13, began causing chaos on the bus, verbally abusing passengers, creating a disturbance, and even damaging the bus by breaking a window.
As tensions escalated, the bus driver instructed the group to leave, but they refused and continued their disruptive behavior, eventually targeting Diane. One member of the group approached her unprovoked, grabbing her hair and attempting to pull her off the bus. A struggle ensued, during which the attacker bit Diane on the knee before the driver and another passenger intervened, managing to restrain the assailant.
In a subsequent interview with the Daily Record, Diane recounted the harrowing experience, describing how the attacker relentlessly tried to harm her. Despite the intervention of the driver and another passenger, the assailant persisted in causing damage to the bus, including throwing a stone at the window and punching it. Police were called to the scene to assess the situation and obtain statements from those involved.
Following the incident, Diane was left shaken and bruised, with a minor wound on her knee from the bite. She sought medical attention to ensure there were no further injuries. Police Scotland confirmed that they responded to reports of the assault and damage to the bus, speaking to the parent of the 12-year-old alleged attacker to provide guidance and support.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson from Lothian Buses acknowledged the situation and pledged assistance to Police Scotland in their investigation. The community has been shocked by the violent actions of the youths and the impact on an NHS worker simply trying to commute home after a long shift at the hospital. Such senseless acts of aggression underscore the need for increased vigilance and support for frontline workers who face risks both inside and outside the workplace.