Man, 72, in critical condition after assault in Montreal Metro: police

A direction sign to the Metro subway, is seen in Montreal on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)

A 72-year-old man is in hospital in critical condition after an assault in the Metro on Tuesday, Montreal police say.

At 1:30 p.m., police received several 911 calls about a fight on the platform at the Pie-IX station in the city’s Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough.

Police say the altercation started on a train and then spilled out onto the platform.

The victim was “struck several times on the upper body” by the suspect, who fled the scene before officers arrived, said Manuel Couture, a Montreal police spokesperson.

The victim was sent to hospital with severe injuries and police fear for his life.

No arrests have been made as investigators are on scene interviewing witnesses and looking at surveillance camera footage for clues.

Trains did not stop at Pie-IX station from about 1:55 p.m. to about 3 p.m. as police were on scene investigating.

Police did not release any further details.