A bus driver fought off a knife-wielding attacker with his own shoe, a new video appears to show.
The “brave” driver was stabbed once in the back during the attack in Stepney at around 3.30pm on Sunday.
Locals reported a passenger spat at the driver and the brawl ensued during a stop on the busy Commercial Road.
Footage from a doorbell camera appears to show the moment the bus driver slaps another man in the head with his shoe as the pair exchange blows on the street.
A man follows the pair begging for someone to call the police.
Officers responded and found a man, in his 40s, at the junction with Arbour Square with a single stab injury to his back.
One witness to the aftermath told the Standard: “He was brave man, I pray he is well.
“I didn’t get a chance to speak to him. I was trying to crowd control and stop people recording him [bleeding].”
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said detectives were aware of the footage.
He added : “The man has been conveyed to an east London hospital.
“The bus driver’s injuries have been assessed as not life-threatening or life-changing.
“Police are working to establish the circumstances.”
Louise Cheeseman, director of buses at TfL, said: “This was an appalling and dangerous attack on a bus driver, who remains in hospital and our thoughts are with them and their family.
“We will fully support the Metropolitan Police to bring the perpetrator to justice.
“Everyone has the right to go about their day without fear or intimidation and any form of physical or verbal assault on our staff or customers will not be tolerated.
“Anyone with any information on this assault should call the Metropolitan Police on 101.”
