BAYONNE, France (AFP) — A bus driver in France was declared brain dead Monday after being attacked by several people he refused to let aboard because they were not wearing face masks as required during the coronavirus outbreak.
A police source in Bayonne, near the Atlantic resort of Biarritz in southwestern France, said one person was in custody and other suspects were being sought.
The attackers tried to board the bus on Sunday night without tickets or masks, which are mandatory on public transport across France.
When the driver, in his 50s, tried to prevent their entry he was repeatedly punched in an assault that resulted in serious head injury.
He was unconscious when brought to hospital, and doctors declared him brain dead on Monday, the police source said.
Regional bus services were disrupted Monday after several of the driver's colleagues refused to work in protest against the brutal attack.
© Agence France-Presse
Read the Top 8
Sign up for the Top 8, a roundup of the day's top stories delivered directly to your inbox Monday through Friday.
Additional Reads
-
French Woman, Declared Dead, Fights to Prove She's Alive January 11, 2021 -
French Researchers Warn of Virus Risk From Eating Out December 17, 2020
-
French Police Charged Over Black Man's Beating November 30, 2020 -
EU Leaders Face Range of Troubles Outside Their Borders October 1, 2020