Detectives have launched a murder investigation after a London bus driver died following an assault on Battersea Bridge. Sergei Krajev, 64, succumbed to his injuries in hospital on Tuesday, a day after the early-morning attack.
Incident Details
Police believe Mr Krajev was assaulted after a confrontation on the pavement near his stationary bus. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday. Gary Jones, 32, was arrested at the scene and later charged with causing grievous bodily harm. He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court and has been remanded in custody. Jones is scheduled to appear at Kingston Crown Court on 15 June, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Tribute from Family
Mr Krajev's family paid tribute to him, describing him as a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. They said: "We feel fortunate to have had such a wonderful husband, father and grandfather in our lives. He was a thoughtful, tactful and conscientious person who cared about those around him. In his role as a bus driver, he was punctual, reliable and willing to help. He valued good relationships with his colleagues and approached his duties with care and dedication." They also expressed gratitude to police, healthcare workers, and emergency services, and extended thoughts to other public-facing transport workers who may be distressed by the news.
Police Appeal
Detective Inspector Sarah Lee, leading the investigation, appealed for witnesses and anyone with dashcam or mobile phone footage to come forward. She said: "Our thoughts are with Sergei's family, friends and colleagues after this tragic incident. We recognise the concern this will cause within the local community and among those who work across our public transport network. We want to reassure those impacted that our officers are working closely with Transport for London as part of our investigation."
The Metropolitan Police continue to urge anyone with information to contact them.
