Millionaire businesswoman ‘deserted’ on Tube platform for half-hour after ‘traumatising’ assault on prepare by stranger
A millionaire businesswoman who was ‘violently attacked’ on a London tube has called for an urgent review of the network’s Help Points after she was left waiting for 30 minutes.
Sally Wynter was travelling home from work on the Victoria line when she ‘felt a punch’ and a man ‘knocked her sideways’ into the train’s glass window.
Ms Wynter stood was left waiting for half an hour for a response from the intercom despite being ‘traumatised’ by the assault last Thursday.
A man in 30s was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of assault following the incident just after 4.30pm on March 27.
The suspect left the carriage at Green Park after the ‘frightening’ attack which left Ms Wynter ‘completely in bits’ .
After getting off at Oxford Circus she went to one of the tube network’s emergency Help Points where she was hoping to get immediate assistance.
Taking to TikTok, the entrepreneur who sold her alcohol brand MUHU five years ago in a deal worth over £1 million after growing up on benefits, said: ‘I pressed the emergency button and it made a flashing light. It made an intercom connection sound and then nothing happened.
‘I pressed it again, nothing happened. I thought maybe someone was coming. No one was coming.’
Sally Wynter (pictured) was travelling on home from work on the Victoria line when she ‘felt a punch’ and man ‘knocked her sideways’ into the train’s glass window
After getting off at Oxford Circus she went to one of the networks emergency help points where she was hoping to get immediate assistance
While she was waiting at the help point Ms Wynter, who was raised in Haringey, North London, rang the police and was told to wait for a British Transport Police (BTP) officer to arrive.
‘I was waiting for about 30 minutes at the [emergency] point underground after pressing the button like four times,’ she continued.
‘No replied, no one showed up.’ She went on to ask: ‘Do these help points even work?’.
She was told by police on the phone that her suspected attacker matched the description of someone who kicked a child at the Green Park ticket hall shortly after her incident.
However, they allegedly walked free after the children’s parents decided against pressing charges.
Speaking to the Standard, she said: ‘There were tears streaming down my face and I actually talked to two old ladies to ask them for some tissues.
‘That phases me as a sad reflection on the lack of care we have for each other as human beings in a big city like London.’
After posting her ordeal on TikTok she was contacted by Transport for London (TFL) but said it is ‘difficult’ to have ‘confidence’ in TfL and the police following the incident.
Ms Wynter has called for an urgent meeting with London Mayor Sadiq Khan to lobby for an audit of all emergency Help Points at major stations
Ms Wynter stood was left waiting for half an hour from a response from the intercom despite being ‘traumatised’ by the assault last Thursday
Ms Wynter has now called for an urgent meeting with Mr Khan to lobby for an audit of all emergency Help Points at major stations.
She has also called on Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to review all rail Help Points across Britain.
It comes after last year an Office of Rail and Road audit last year found 25 per cent of stations had at least one machine reported as broken.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London: ‘The Mayor’s thoughts are with Sally Wynter following the incident she experienced on the London Underground last week. Everyone should be and feel safe in London.
‘The British Transport Police are investigating and an arrest has been made. The Mayor urges anyone with information to get in touch with them.
‘All passengers who use the TfL network deserve to be and feel safe, with complete confidence that if things do go wrong, help is always available.
In most cases, TfL staff serve Londoners incredibly well, taking deep pride in delivering an excellent service and supporting customers when needed, including in complex and sometimes distressing situations.’
Siwan Hayward, TfL’s Director for Security, Policing and Enforcement, said: ‘Safety is our top priority and we are truly sorry for the experience that Ms Wynter had seeking help at one of our stations.
‘It must have been very distressing and it should not have happened. Everyone should feel safe when travelling on our network.
‘If anyone is a victim or witness of a crime they should be able to access help and support straight away.
‘We train our staff to support customers and to help report incidents to the police. We are investigating as a matter of urgency why Ms Wynter did not get the help she should have and have reached out to her to offer support.’
A BTP spokesman said: ‘A man in his 30s from the South Norwood area has been arrested on suspicion of assault, following an incident on a Victoria Line train on March 27. He remains in police custody.
‘We continue to appeal to witnesses or anyone with information to get in touch by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040 quoting reference 523 of 27 March.’
MailOnline has approached the Mayor’s office for comment.
