A Superbus driver was severely beaten by teenagers Saturday night in Jerusalem after pulling up to a red light, police said Sunday. The attack left him unconscious for several minutes and cost him four teeth.
Driver M. was operating line 2 when he stopped at the Ashkol-Ramot intersection. A group of teenagers began striking the bus's exterior. When he opened his window to see what was happening, they attacked him directly.
"They threw themselves on me, smashed the bus, smashed the mirror, I stuck my head out to see what happened, suddenly I got hit in the face and lost consciousness," the driver told the organization Koach La'Ovedin (Workers' Power), according to Channel 13 News. "I lost four teeth, my nose and mouth are swollen, I need to have surgery. What did I do? Why like this? I don't know. I'm an adult, almost 70. Why? Why?"
The driver regained consciousness after approximately two minutes. "When I came to, I felt blood in my mouth. All around me, curses and faces full of hate. For what? I don't know. I was frightened and drove through the intersection, but I still wasn't fully conscious and felt like I was losing control. Luckily I managed to park the bus. I don't want to think about what could have happened if there had been passengers on the bus."
After escaping the scene, he contacted emergency services and was transported for medical treatment. Police opened an investigation into the assault.
Superbus issued a statement: "Superbus takes grave view of last night's attack in Jerusalem and strongly condemns any display of violence toward public transportation workers. The company is cooperating fully with Israeli police and enforcement officials to apprehend the attackers and ensure they face justice swiftly. Company representatives are supporting the driver with sensitivity and continuously from the moment of the attack and will continue supporting him and his family until full recovery. Superbus will continue doing all in its power to ensure the safety and wellbeing of drivers and passengers."
