French bus driver left brain dead after 'attack by passengers refusing to wear face masks'

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A man places a sticker reading 'Mandatory Masks' on a School bus door in Mulhouse, eastern France, on May 8, 2020, as France readies for May 11, easing of the lockdown which began on March 17, to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus. - France is scheduled May 11, to start easing a lockdown that began in mid-March as the number of cases, hospitalisations and deaths show signs of slowing. (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP) (Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images)
A driver was reportedly attacked in a row over wearing masks on a bus in Bayonne, France. (AFP via Getty Images)

A bus driver in France has been left brain dead after reportedly being attacked by passengers who refused to wear face masks.

The driver in the city of Bayonne refused to allow a number of people to board because they had no tickets and no masks, AFP reported.

The victim, in his 50s, sustained serious head injuries after he was punched repeatedly on Sunday evening.

It was reported that one of the group had attempted to board the bus with a dog.

The driver was unconscious on arrival in hospital and declared brain dead by doctors on Monday, it was reported.

Five people have been arrested following the incident in the south west of France.

Bayonne’s mayor, Jean-René Etchegaray, said: “We have witnessed a particularly violent and barbaric act.”

He said he hoped “the perpetrators will be brought to justice and that the punishment will be severe" to send "a significant sign to the entire population".

Services in the region have been disrupted after a number of other drivers refused to work after the incident.

Face masks are mandatory on public transport in France to combat the spread of coronavirus.

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