A TTC electrical worker was stabbed while on a break in downtown Toronto Friday morning, prompting a police investigation and renewed concerns about the safety of transit employees.
According to TTC CEO Mandeep Lali, the worker was attacked shortly after 8 a.m. near Bloor-Yonge in what the transit agency described as an unprovoked incident that occurred off TTC property. The worker was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital for treatment and has since been released to recover at home.
Lali said the TTC is providing support to the employee and colleagues, including access to trauma counselling. He also emphasized that employee safety remains a priority and that violence against TTC workers is unacceptable.
Toronto police are investigating and searching for a suspect who reportedly fled the area. Police described the suspect as a man with a heavy build and black beard. He was reportedly wearing a blue puffer vest, grey T-shirt, grey pants, black baseball cap and brown shoes.
The victim and suspect were reportedly not known to each other. Further details about the motive and circumstances of the attack have not been publicly confirmed.
The TTC is cooperating with the police investigation as the employee recovers with support from family, colleagues and the transit agency.