Police searching for a man who sprayed a chemical in the face of a bus driver at Surry Hills overnight, will release CCTV images.
The State Transit Authority (STA) bus was being driven along Oxford Street about 10.35pm (Thursday 27 December 2018), when the driver stopped between Flinders and Crown streets.
As the bus was at capacity, the driver told a man waiting at the bus stop he could not get on.
Witnesses have told police the man began to abuse the driver, before spraying the driver in the face with a chemical, suspected of being capsicum spray.
Passengers called Triple Zero (000) and the man left the scene.
Paramedics were called when the driver, a 41-year-old man from Hillsdale, began having trouble breathing. He was treated at the scene and allowed to go home.
Officers from Surry Hills Police Area Command have initiated an investigation and are appealing for public assistance to identify the man involved.
Investigators are compiling statements from passengers and conducting a canvass of the area, while CCTV from the bus is being released in an effort to identify a man they believe can assist with their inquiries.
The man is described as having short brown hair. At the time he was wearing a long-sleeved business shirt which was blue with white dots, navy trousers and was carrying a satchel-style bag. Witnesses told police he spoke with an English accent.
Investigators are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to call Surry Hills Police or Crime Stoppers.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
