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Driver of Charles de Menezes Tube awarded £1,000
Dick Murray03.06.09
The Tube train driver who fled in terror into the tunnel after police shot dead Jean Charles de Menezes at Stockwell station in July 2005 has been awarded £1,000 compensation.
Quincy Oji was convinced the police were terrorists opening fire on passengers.
The driver was pursued by police who waved guns in his face as he lay on the ground.
As someone shone a flashlight into his face, Mr Oji screamed: "Please do not shoot, I am the train driver."
His case for compensation was originally turned down by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority on the grounds he had not been a victim of violent crime. This has now been overturned on appeal.
But the size of the compensation was condemned by Aslef, Mr Oji's union, who said it "hardly reflects" his suffering.
Mr de Menezes, 27, had been followed by armed police who believed he was failed 21/7 bomber Hussain Osman.
He boarded the train at Stockwell station and sat down in the carriage. Armed officers rushed onto the train and Mr de Menezes was shot dead.
A marksman told an inquest that he shouted "armed police" and opened fire because he had no alternative when Mr de Menezes came towards him. Other witnesses insist the victim was sitting when he was shot.
Mr Oji said: "I heard people screaming and I looked at the (television) monitor at the front of the train.
"I heard gunshots, there were about 15 of them. I saw one of the men with a large gun shooting and I thought they were fanatics and they were people shooting at people in the carriage. I have (to) run into the dark tunnel."
He jumped across live tracks and was "scared" because other trains were approaching.
Thompsons Solicitors, acting for Mr Oji on behalf of Aslef, argued at the compensation claim appeal that he had suffered post traumatic stress disorder.
Keith Norman, Aslef general secretary, said: "I have never come across such spurious arguments to avoid paying compensation to someone who clearly deserves compensation.
"I'm delighted that we finally have recognition of the trauma our member suffered, even if the £1,000 we have secured hardly reflects what Driver Oji suffered."
Reader views (12)
I always love the intellectuals on these forums; it's now quite reasonable to be chased down a dark tunnel with electrified track by machine gun toting policemen who have just murdered 1 wrong person is it?
I know Londoners are famous for their ignorance but really...
- Max, Scotland
Rewarding lack of morale fibre. Yep - socialism is the way to go in Britain.
- Rogan, Irving
If this man is the victim of a criminal injury for the fear caused by the police shooting, what does that say about the specially-chosen Coroner's ruling that Unlawful Killing was not an option that the jury at Mr de Menezes' inquest could return? Had the police simply terrified Mr de Menezes instead of killing him, would he have had a claim? Something does not add up here at all.
Can criminal injury claims be brought posthumously?
- Mdj E10, london uk
Gun shots? South of the River? Hardly a one off event is it? Do LUL not supply ear defenders or provide loud noise training? Surely time for an elf n safety strike Bolsevik Bob?.
- Nelly, East London
Nice to see the train driver dessert his passengers in their hour of need. I hope the other victims (without rail union help) receive suitable compensation too.
- Albert Swift, Aberdeen, Scotland
The driver was the only other person on the train threatened with guns - the police pursued him. Why?
Given that Jean Charles de Menezes had just been killed nearby, I can fully understand the genuine fear this man must have experienced.
Probably best to ignore the snide comments on here.
- Jim, London, UK
If there was ever case for compo this must be it. For a tube driver to experience a suicide attempt or be confronted with armed gun happy police who shot this guy, this is not in their normal job discription.
- Paul B, London
£1000? Seems like a slap in the face!
- Aria, South London
considering the 'going rate' for a whiplash claim is £1200 it seems a bit on the light side.
- Ces, london
Says a lot about the mettle of this 'british citizen'
- David, London
Given the trigger happy nature of the police on that day, I suppose the poor guy should count himself lucky to be alive.
- Barry, Hertford England
An easy grand, that will make the "trauma" go away.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke
