Mr Lord also mentioned the killing of Kelyan Bokassa, 14, who was stabbed multiple times on a 472 bus in Woolwich, and the deaths of two cyclists hit by London buses and a bus passenger who suffered fatal injuries in an on-board fall on Finchley Road.
Mr Ortega, who worked as a customer experience assistant for MTR Elizabeth Line, the line’s operator, had been two hours from finishing his shift and returning to his wife when he was the victim of an unprovoked attack.
TfL commissioner Mr Lord, speaking at City Hall on Wednesday, updated the TfL board on a series of incidents on the capital’s transport network, which he said were “sobering reminders of the importance of [the] safety and security of our customers and staff”.
Andy Lord struggled to contain his emotions as he informed the Transport for London board of the fatal attack on Jorge Ortega, a 61-year-old grandfather, as he worked at Ilford station at night in December.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Ortega’s death was “absolutely tragic”, and added: “Nobody should have to face any violence at work — and certainly not something as shocking as this.”.
