Man pushed ex-eurotunnel boss on to Tube tracks

THE former chairman of Eurotunnel was pushed on to tracks on the London Underground by a man who told police he did it because he’d “had no sleep”, a court heard yesterday.

Sir Robert Malpas was rescued by a passer-by after he was pushed from the platform at Marble Arch a minute before a train arrived, a court has heard.

The 91-year-old was left with a fractured pelvis and blood pouring from a large wound in his head after Paul Crossley, 46, shoved him with both hands, jurors were told.

Riyad El Hussani jumped on to the tracks at Marble Arch station with the electronic arrivals board showing one minute until the next train.

He suffered a burn to his right hand after touching the electrified track but managed to pull Sir Robert to the edge of the platform, where he was helped up by other members of the public.

Crossley, who had earlier made an unsuccessful bid to push Tobias French, another Tube passenger, on to the tracks at Tottenham Court Road station, was caught by passers-by.

Asked by police in interview if there was any reason for what he did, he said: “I had no sleep,” the Old Bailey heard.

Crossley denies two charges of attempted murder and an alternative count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr French on April 27. He has pleaded guilty to attempting to wound Sir Robert.

Crossley, from east London, told members of the public who detained him: “It’s not right, I know it’s wrong,” the court heard.

The trial continues.