Senior shoved onto Edmonton LRT tracks in 'violent unprovoked assault'

City looking at transit safety after attack The city is looking at how to make the transit system safer for passengers after a woman was attacked earlier this week.

A 78-year-old woman was hospitalized Monday night after she was pushed onto LRT tracks, and a man was arrested Tuesday night.

Sharda Devi was waiting for a train at the Health Sciences/Jubilee LRT station at 83 Avenue and 114 Street at 8:20 p.m. when the attack happened, her brother told CTV News Edmonton.

Devi works at the University of Alberta Hospital and often uses the nearby station.

"While she was standing there, apparently a guy came from behind, punched her and pushed her down the thing, onto the rail tracks," Ram Mudalier explained.

"When she fell she hit her body and broke her leg. Apparently the bone was sticking out and at the same time a train was coming. Luckily they saw her and they stopped."

Mudalier said police were called and officers rescued her from the tracks.

"The female and the male suspect were not known to one another," Sgt. Daniel Tames of Edmonton Police Service wrote in a news release that called it a "violent unprovoked assault."

Devi suffered serious injuries but is expected to survive, police said. Mudalier said family members were with her at the hospital.

Tuesday night, police announced they arrested the man in relation to the incident. They added more information is expected to be announced Wednesday.

The branch manager of Edmonton Transit Service released a brief statement on the attack Tuesday.

"We take the safety of transit riders and staff very seriously, and are concerned about any incident on transit property," said Carrie Hotton-MacDonald.

"We are grateful for the quick actions of peace officers and others who responded on site. Our thoughts are with the individual and staff who were involved in this incident. We have zero tolerance for harassment or any forms of violence on transit."

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.