 Police have launched an inquiry into the shooting |
A bus driver who was shot in the head with what is thought to have been an air rifle has been discharged from hospital. The incident happened when the driver stopped his vehicle to let passengers off.
Strathclyde Police have launched an inquiry in the wake of the shooting, which happened in Erskine on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old victim was driving a number 23 single-decker, Arriva bus on Park Drive, Erskine, when he was shot.
A police spokesman said the man was discharged from the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley after undergoing surgery to remove the pellet.
It is believed an air rifle was used in the attack which took place at Parkholm Roundabout, near Newshot Drive, as the driver stopped to let passengers off the bus about at 2030 BST.
 This was a despicable and shocking attack and we urge anyone who has any information which could lead to the arrest of the culprit to contact the police immediately  Ian Craig,
Arriva Scotland West |
He was shot in the back of his head through an open window and two teenagers, aged 17 and 18 years, who went to help the driver were also shot at. They were unhurt.
The bus driver was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
Police, who have appealed for witnesses, said that passengers on the bus saw a group of people hidden in bushes near the bus stop who ran away after the shots were fired.
Ian Craig, director and general manager of Arriva Scotland West, said: "An Arriva Scotland West 23 service, operating from Glasgow to Erskine, was involved in an incident at approximately 8.30pm yesterday.
"A rifle was fired at the bus, injuring our driver. He is continuing to receive hospital treatment and we have sent him and his family our very best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
"We are working closely with the police in their investigations.
"This was a despicable and shocking attack and we urge anyone who has any information which could lead to the arrest of the culprit to contact the police immediately. A reward is available for information leading to an arrest."
Union leaders are calling for the law to be toughened in an effort to prevent attacks on public transport workers.
Jimmy Farrelly, from the Transport and General Workers Union, said: "We are calling on the Scottish Executive to take urgent action to ensure that, not just bus drivers, but all people working in the public sector, are properly protected."
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