RESCUERS had verbal abuse hurled at them while trying to save the life of Elgin bus driver Keith Rollinson, it has been claimed.
A bystander told the Press and Journal that a group of 20 young people laughed, joked and shouted abuse as a fellow bus driver administered CPR.
She said: “They were shouting abuse at those trying to save him. It was unbelievable.
“I doubt that those young people who were standing laughing, joking and goading those who worked on this man are fully aware of the severity of the situation, or their actions.”
READ MORE: Stagecoach bus driver dies following 'assault' as teen arrested
Rollinson, age 58, was assaulted at Elgin bus station while on duty on February 2, later dying of his injuries.
A 15-year-old male was arrested in connection with the assault.
He appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court on February 5, and was charged with murder, to which he made no plea.
Unite the Union has called for stronger protections for bus drivers after the fatal attack.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The stark reality is that bus drivers regularly and routinely confront dangerous incidents.
"It has become an intolerable occupational hazard for bus drivers on a daily basis, especially for those working late at night and in remote areas."
Reports say that many Stagecoach staff assigned to Elgin have refused to work in the town, and have asked to be moved to other routes.
A spokesperson for Stagecoach North, which employed Rollinson, said: "We are shocked and saddened by this news and our immediate thoughts are with the family and friends of our driver who has sadly passed away.
"Safety is our number one priority and incidents like this are extremely rare. We are doing everything we can to support our colleagues and our driver's family as well as assisting the police in their investigation."
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