British Columbia

Man who had throat slashed on bus in Surrey, B.C. expected to make full recovery

A man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a stabbing on a bus at Fraser Highway and 148 Street in Surrey, B.C., on Saturday morning.

Police say the victim and suspect did not know each other

A bus is pictured parked on the side of the road, with police and emergency vehicles blocking the road on all sides.
Police say a man was stabbed on a bus by another man in Surrey, B.C., on Saturday morning. (Shane MacKichan)

A man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a stabbing on a bus at Fraser Highway and 148 Street in Surrey, B.C., on Saturday morning.

Police say the violent incident happened just after 9:30 a.m. PT Saturday on a TransLink bus, which is run by the Coast Mountain Bus Company.

According to Metro Vancouver Transit Police, there was an "altercation" between two men on board the bus.

"During that altercation, one of the men allegedly took out a knife and a slashed the other male's throat," Cst. Amanda Steed told CBC News.

A man with a 'Police' jacket takes notes on the hood of a police car.
A police officer takes notes at the side of the crime scene Saturday. (Shane MacKichan)

Steed said the victim was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. A motive for the attack hasn't yet been determined.

On Sunday, she said the victim had had surgery and they were expected to make a full recovery from their injuries.

According to transit police, the suspect threatened another person before boarding the bus.

"The first victim was standing at the bus stop on Fraser Highway and 152 Street when the suspect approached and brandished the knife, holding it to the victim's throat," she said in a statement. "The victim was able to run to safety and call 911."

An intersection on a highway is seen filled with police vehicles, with a bus visible in the background.
The intersection of Fraser Highway and 148 Street was closed Saturday morning as police conducted enquiries. (Shane MacKichan)

The attacker then allegedly boarded the 503 bus at the intersection of the highway and 156 Street, after which the assault happened. Steed said that she didn't know exactly how many people were on the bus at the time of the stabbing.

"It appears at this time that the suspect and the victim were not known to each other," she said Saturday morning. "At this point, we don't believe there is any ongoing threat to the public."

The intersection of Fraser Highway and 148 Street is located around five kilometres from the Surrey Central SkyTrain station, and is serviced by TransLink buses 502 and 503.

Steed asked anyone who witnessed the incident or has more information to contact Transit Police.