Railway ticket office worker, 47, dies of coronavirus after man who said he had virus SPAT at her in Victoria Station – as police launch hunt for Covid thug
- Belly Mujinga, 47, was spat at on the concourse of Victoria Station in March
- Days later she had fallen ill, along with her colleague who was also spat at
- Ms Mujinga was admitted to Barnet Hospital, where she died on April 5
- British Transport Police only launched an investigation on Monday
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
A railway ticket officer has died from Covid-19 after a man who said he was infected spat at her and a colleague at London Victoria Station.
Belly Mujinga, 47, was on the concourse of the station in March when a member of the public who said he had Covid-19 spat and coughed at her and a colleague.Within days of the assault, both women fell ill with the virus.
Police have launched an investigation this week, nearly two months after the incident, as there was no report at the time.
Belly Mujinga died after she and a colleague were spat at by a man at London Victoria Station who was infected with Covid-19
The Transport Salaried Staffs Association said Ms Mujinga’s ‘wasn’t inevitable’
Ms Mujinga, who had underlying respiratory problems, was admitted to Barnet Hospital and put on a ventilator but died on April 5, her trade union, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), said.
Ten people attended her funeral.
British Transport Police says the incident was not reported at the time on March 22, but has now launched an investigation to find the suspect.
A spokesman from BTP said: ‘We have now launched an investigation into a report of two members of rail staff being spat at while working at London Victoria station on 22 March. One of the victims, a 47-year-old woman, very sadly died in hospital on April 5.’
Friends and family have paid tribute to the transport worker, with one person writing: ‘Rest in peace aunty Belly Mujingas
The union has reported the incident to the Railways Inspectorate, the safety arm of the Office for Road and Rail (ORR), for investigation and is taking legal advice on the situation.
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: ‘We are shocked and devastated at Belly’s death. She is one of far too many frontline workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus.
‘The Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, recently announced that £60,000 would be paid to the survivors of health and care workers who die as a result of the pandemic.
‘Our view is that this compensation should be extended to the families of all frontline workers who perish trying to keep our country and vital services going.
‘Sadly, Belly’s is just one of many family tragedies where children have had their parents taken away from them.
Ms Mujinga and a colleague were spat at while they worked at London Victoria in March, since then social distancing signs have been put up around the station
‘However, there are serious questions about her death; it wasn’t inevitable.
‘As a vulnerable person in the ‘at risk’ category, and her condition known to her employer, there are questions about why she wasn’t stood down from frontline duties early on in this pandemic.
‘Rather than talking about the easing the lockdown, the government must first ensure that the right precautions and protections have been taken so that more lives are not lost.
‘Anyone who is vulnerable should remain at home and home working should be the default wherever possible.
‘Our rail industry needs to have a very serious look at what tasks are deemed ‘essential’ and must put protections in place for all our members and our passengers.’
Anyone who saw Ms Mujinga being spat can contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 359 of 11/05/20.