The family of a man who say he died after being pushed down an escalator at London Waterloo believe he was ‘set upon’ by a group of masked men.
Today, police revealed Ian Airlie, 48, was found dead at his home in Greenwich, south-east London, on October 10, nearly a month after the incident.
Mr Airlie’s family told officers he had been pushed down Waterloo Station’s Jubilee Line escalator at 5.05pm on September 15.
His cousin Sarah Strugnell, 50, said he had been set upon by a group of masked men.
She added: ‘Something clearly happened, he was found with stamp marks to his chest and suffered a serious head injury.
‘We called him Little Ian, his dad was big Ian. They lived together as Ian was caring for his dad. His dad can now not face going back to the house.
‘He found out about Ian’s death while he was in hospital and he has been there ever since. It’s a complete shock,’ she told the Metro.
Mr Airlie had fallen into a woman of South Asian appearance who also stumbled on the escalator.
Afterwards the family say he spoke to security at the station about what had happened, but as yet no one has been identified as being responsible.
After leaving the Tube station, Mr Airlie is said to have spoken to another woman on a bus travelling from North Greenwich underground station.
She handed him a tissue as he was bleeding from above his left eye.
Police are searching for these two women, as well as anyone else who may have witnessed the incident, to approach them with information.
It is understood that police have stepped in after a post-mortem examination on Mr Airlie, carried out on October 29, 2024, came back inconclusive.
Detective Inspector Chris Rogers, who is leading the investigation, 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.
‘However small it may seem to you, this could be the key we need to unlock the investigation.’
On the day of his fall, Mr Airlie was wearing a black T-shirt and light grey joggers.
He was carrying a turquoise and grey Mountain Warehouse rucksack, and he also had a medium-sized black suitcase with him.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police via 101, or anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111 – quoting 01/942310/24.
