Calgarian implores safety after random assault at CTrain Station

A new resident says she and her friend were attacked on a Calgary CTrain platform on the weekend, and they want to warn other people to be vigilant when on public transit.

Christina Swanson, a 26-year-old regular CTrain rider, and a friend visiting from out of town had the perfect Sunday.

A visit to the Calgary Tower, the library, and appies along 17th Avenue.

But on the way home at the Victoria Park CTrain Station, as they were boarding, Swanson says a man exiting got annoyed for an unknown reason and stepped on the foot of her friend.

When her friend took issue with his behaviour, things escalated.

“And he was just very hostile back. They exchanged a few words, and then when she went to turn to get onto the train, I watched him lift up his leg and kick her in her lower back, knocking her to the ground, so she was literally on the floor of the train,” Swanson said.

Swanson was snapping photos of the suspect to supply to police when he aggressively manhandled her.

“I stepped off the train to try and get a photo of him or a video, to which he turned around and said ‘Don’t take a photo of me,’ and he came right up to me and put his arms around, trying to grab my phone,” she said.

Luckily, he let go when a good Samaritan stepped in, ushering the women onto the train.

Calgary police tell 660 NewsRadio they were called to Victoria Park Station at around 6:30 p.m. on July 27 for reports of an altercation and alleged assault.

After speaking with Swanson and her friend, officers say they are working to identify the suspect.

For now, Swanson plans to be extra wary and ready to protect herself and warn women and others of situations like this.

“I got a little key chain dog spray–I know it’s technically illegal, but I really don’t care at this point. I will catch a charge to protect myself, and I would hope no cop would charge a woman who is trying to protect herself from a dangerous person,” she said.

“I really just want to warn other women–and not just women, but people. Like, if he did this to an elderly person, they could die. That kick was pretty brutal.”

Police ask anyone with information about this incident to call them at 403-266-1234 or leave a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.