Local

Passenger pushes elderly man off MARTA train

ATLANTA — Police are investigating an incident in which an elderly man was thrown off a MARTA train by another passenger.

Cellphone video shows a man sitting near the door of the train talking. He was allegedly making derogatory comments about females.

About 40 seconds into the video, the younger man lifts up the other passenger’s walker. A short time later, the train stops and the younger man pushes the older man out of the train.

Witnesses told Channel 2’s Erica Byfield that the footage did not capture what happened next, which was that the man fell on the platform outside the train. Witnesses said the man was yelling the comments at female passengers.

Byfield learned the incident happened Saturday, June 7 on the Blue Line, somewhere between the Kensington and Edgewood stations.

A MARTA spokesman told Byfield the agency is investigating and anyone with information is asked to contact MARTA police.

On Tuesday, MARTA released the following statement:

“The MARTA Police Department is conducting a thorough and ongoing investigation into the incident which occurred  at the East Lake station on June 7th at about 4 p.m.  A lookout has been issued for a possible suspect and anyone with information about this incident is asked to call investigators at  404-848-4911. MARTA is a very safe transit system and we will not tolerate this type of behavior. Customers who witness any suspicious, or  possibly illegal activity, are encouraged to use the MARTA “See& Say” app that can be downloaded to their smartphones and puts them in direct contact with police dispatchers. Train customers can also use the passenger intercom units  located in every MARTA rail car which will enable them to immediately alert the operator if any problems arise.”