An arrest has been made nine years after the widely publicised 'Putney Pusher' incident, in which a woman was pushed into the path of a moving bus on Putney Bridge. Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 41-year-old man was arrested in connection with the assault, which occurred on 5 May 2017. The individual has since been released under investigation.
The incident gained significant national and international attention due to distressing CCTV footage that showed a jogger pushing a 33-year-old woman into the road. The woman narrowly escaped severe injury or death when the quick-thinking bus driver, Oliver Salbris, swerved to avoid hitting her. She sustained minor injuries but was understandably shaken by the ordeal.
The footage, released by the Metropolitan Police, showed the jogger pushing the woman without apparent provocation before continuing his run. Approximately 15 minutes later, the same man was seen jogging back across the bridge, at which point the victim reportedly attempted to confront him. However, he allegedly ignored her and continued on his way.
The initial police investigation saw multiple appeals for information and generated considerable public interest. The case highlighted concerns about public safety and random acts of violence in busy urban areas. Despite extensive efforts and numerous leads, no arrests were made in the immediate aftermath, leading to a long-standing unsolved status for the high-profile case.
The recent arrest marks a significant development in a case that has remained in the public consciousness for nearly a decade. While details surrounding the arrest and the ongoing investigation are limited, it demonstrates the persistence of law enforcement in pursuing justice, even years after an event.