Man's death after escalator 'push' prompts appeal

A man who died weeks after reportedly being pushed down an escalator at London's Waterloo station has prompted a police appeal for witnesses.

Ian Airlie, 48, was found dead at his home in Greenwich, south-east London, on 10 October last year.

Following his death, his family reported to the Met Police that he had told them he had been pushed down the Jubilee line escalator weeks earlier.

A woman who he is said to have fallen on and another who he spoke to on a bus ride home are being urged to contact police.

The alleged push is said to have occurred just after 17:00 BST on 15 September.

A post-mortem examination carried out on 29 October was inconclusive and further tests are awaited.

A Met spokesperson said the woman who Mr Airlie is believed to have fallen into was of south Asian appearance. The force added she also fell on the escalator.

Mr Airlie is also understood to have spoken to a woman on a bus travelling from North Greenwich underground station, who gave him a tissue for a cut above his eye.

At the time, he was wearing a black t-shirt, light grey jogging bottoms and had a turquoise and grey Mountain Warehouse rucksack.

He was also carrying a medium-sized black suitcase.

Det Insp Chris Rogers said: "Mr Airlie's death is tragic, and his family continue to mourn the loss of a loving son, partner, brother and uncle.

"We are determined to piece together the events, and give Mr Airlie's family the answers they are searching for. You can assist us by coming forward with any information."

He added: "However small it may seem to you, this could be the key we need to unlock the investigation."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]