Passengers forced suspected attacker off railbus after phones failed

Passengers forced a suspected attacker off a railbus at Orivesi station after a man allegedly punched another man during a journey between Keuruu and Tampere in late July, Yle reported.

Henrietta Koskinen’s daughter was travelling from Kolho station in Mänttä-Vilppula towards Tampere when a man punched another passenger in the nose after an argument. Blood splashed onto her clothes, and the victim’s headphones struck her in the face.

The daughter was not injured but was frightened. Her glasses were also undamaged.

Passengers tried to call for help, but the train was travelling through an area without mobile phone coverage. They ordered the suspected attacker off the train at Orivesi station. Passengers who got off in Tampere later filed a police report.

Railbuses often have only a driver on board, with no other staff. According to VR, passengers can contact the driver using the train’s intercom or through the security centre. They can also knock on the driver’s cab door.

Marika Schugk, VR’s director of sales and pricing for long-distance traffic, said drivers use the Virve public authorities’ communications network, which also works in areas without mobile coverage. Through Virve, the driver can contact Fintraffic’s traffic control centre and arrange help.

“The driver is also trained to handle challenging customer situations,” Schugk said.

VR said cameras on the trains allow the driver to monitor events in the passenger compartment in real time. The company said disturbances involving passengers are rare in long-distance trains and railbuses, and that it monitors the safety of staff and passengers.

A criminal report has been registered in connection with the assault. Police have not yet taken the possible investigation further.

Kari Aaltio, a detective chief inspector with the Central Finland Police Department, said cases like this are generally investigated as assault offences. The classification depends on the severity of the injuries. A minor assault is a complainant offence, meaning prosecutors can bring charges only if the victim requests prosecution. A basic assault is investigated and referred to a prosecutor for consideration of charges.

Aaltio said disturbances on railbuses and long-distance trains are relatively uncommon, particularly in rural municipalities and their surrounding areas.

Railbuses also operate on routes including Nurmes to Pieksämäki and Jyväskylä to Keuruu and Seinäjoki.