Elderly man killed at London train station in ‘unprovoked and despicable’ attack

An elderly man was killed in the early hours of Tuesday morning outside a railway station in an “unprovoked and despicable” attack.

British Transport Police (BTP) said the victim was found “badly hurt” by a member of staff outside Harold Wood Station in Havering, east London at around 4:30 am.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the victim, who has not been formally identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man has been arrested in connection with the incident and remains in police custody.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said on Twitter: “A man has been arrested as a murder investigation is launched by British Transport Police.”

BTP confirmed the attack was an “isolated incident” and they were not seeking any other suspects.

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Blackburn said: “This act of unprovoked violence was despicable.

“The investigation remains in the early stages, and although we are satisfied that this was an isolated incident the station will remain closed while we continue our enquiries.”

A heavy police presence was in place throughout Tuesday afternoon, a number of forensic officers at the scene. Several nearby roads were closed.

One police officer was seen carrying a single crutch in an evidence bag away from the scene.

An Elizabeth Line railway worker said the victim had been an “elderly man” but declined to provide any further information.

A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 4.29am today [27 February] to reports of an incident at Harold Wood Rail Station, Romford.

“We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, a medic in a fast response car, an incident response officer and a clinical team manager.

“Our first medic arrived on scene in five minutes. Very sadly, a man was pronounced dead at the scene.”