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Coronavirus: Victoria ticket worker dies after being spat at | Coronavirus: Victoria ticket worker dies after being spat at |
(30 minutes later) | |
A railway ticket office worker has died with coronavirus after being spat at by a man who claimed he had Covid-19. | A railway ticket office worker has died with coronavirus after being spat at by a man who claimed he had Covid-19. |
Belly Mujinga, 47, who had underlying respiratory problems, was working at Victoria station in London in March when she was assaulted, along with a female colleague. | Belly Mujinga, 47, who had underlying respiratory problems, was working at Victoria station in London in March when she was assaulted, along with a female colleague. |
Within days of the incident, both women fell ill with the virus. | Within days of the incident, both women fell ill with the virus. |
British Transport Police said an inquiry had been launched to trace the man who spat at the pair. | British Transport Police said an inquiry had been launched to trace the man who spat at the pair. |
Mrs Mujinga was on the concourse of Victoria station on 22 March when she was approached by the suspect. | Mrs Mujinga was on the concourse of Victoria station on 22 March when she was approached by the suspect. |
Her husband Lusamba Gode Katalay said the man had asked his wife what she was doing and why she was there. | Her husband Lusamba Gode Katalay said the man had asked his wife what she was doing and why she was there. |
"She told him she was working and the man said he had the virus and spat on her," he added. | "She told him she was working and the man said he had the virus and spat on her," he added. |
Mrs Mujinga was admitted to Barnet Hospital on 2 April and was put on a ventilator. But she died three days later, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), said. | Mrs Mujinga was admitted to Barnet Hospital on 2 April and was put on a ventilator. But she died three days later, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), said. |
The Prime Minister's official spokesman described the attack on the key worker as "despicable". | |
Mr Katalay said he called his wife on a video app when she was in hospital, but didn't hear from her again. | Mr Katalay said he called his wife on a video app when she was in hospital, but didn't hear from her again. |
"I thought she might be asleep, but the doctor phoned me to tell me she had died," he said. | "I thought she might be asleep, but the doctor phoned me to tell me she had died," he said. |
"She was a good person, a good mother, and a good wife. She was a caring person and would take care of everybody." | "She was a good person, a good mother, and a good wife. She was a caring person and would take care of everybody." |
Ten people attended Mrs Mujinga's funeral, including her 11-year-old daughter. | Ten people attended Mrs Mujinga's funeral, including her 11-year-old daughter. |
Her cousin Agnes Ntumba told the BBC that Mrs Mujinga believed she was safe in her usual work environment - the ticket office. | Her cousin Agnes Ntumba told the BBC that Mrs Mujinga believed she was safe in her usual work environment - the ticket office. |
"They should not have made her work on the concourse," she said. | "They should not have made her work on the concourse," she said. |
"She shouldn't have died in this condition. We could have prevented it - if she had more PPE or if they kept her inside instead of being on the concourse." | "She shouldn't have died in this condition. We could have prevented it - if she had more PPE or if they kept her inside instead of being on the concourse." |
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: "We are shocked and devastated at Belly's death. She is one of far too many front-line workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus." | TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: "We are shocked and devastated at Belly's death. She is one of far too many front-line workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus." |
The union added that there were "serious questions about her death". | The union added that there were "serious questions about her death". |
"As a vulnerable person in the 'at-risk' category, and her condition known to her employer, there are questions about why she wasn't stood down from frontline duties early on in this pandemic," Mr Cortes said. | "As a vulnerable person in the 'at-risk' category, and her condition known to her employer, there are questions about why she wasn't stood down from frontline duties early on in this pandemic," Mr Cortes said. |
'Tragic incident' | 'Tragic incident' |
Ms Mujinga's employer, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), said it "took any allegations extremely seriously" and that it was investigating all claims. | Ms Mujinga's employer, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), said it "took any allegations extremely seriously" and that it was investigating all claims. |
Angie Doll, of GTR, said: "The safety of our customers and staff, who are key workers themselves, continues to be front of mind at all times and we follow the latest government advice." | Angie Doll, of GTR, said: "The safety of our customers and staff, who are key workers themselves, continues to be front of mind at all times and we follow the latest government advice." |
Latest figures show 42 Transport for London (TfL) workers have died with Covid-19, in addition to 10 Network Rail staff. | |