Dozens of people were stuck in a SkyTrain car on April 9 after someone left a bear spray at a station and jumped out of the car before the doors closed. “As they got off the train, they sprayed pepper on the train,” said passenger Melanie H. of Surrey. “We all coughed. . . “trying to get some air,” he said. “My lungs hurt.” The train was at Main Street-Science World Station when the incident occurred. The passengers were stuck in the old carriage on the way to the Commercial-Broadway station, where the train was stopped. TransLink spokeswoman Tina Lovgreen said SkyTrain Control alerted SkyTrain escorts who were there to help customers along with traffic police. “Medical care was offered but it was rejected by the clients,” he said. “Customers continued their journey on the next train.” Melanie said the passengers first realized that something was happening when a man who was closer to some other men started cursing them. Melanie thinks it had some of the close effect of the spray. “They had a BlueTooth speaker and they behaved very strangely and loudly,” Melanie said, adding that there was some form of brawl between the men and another person on the Main Street platform. “They ran back with whatever guy they were arguing with,” he said. With the doors closed, the train began moving east toward Commercial Drive Station. “We were trying to turn off the alarms and the intercom.” “Many of us were by the window trying to catch our breath,” Melanie said. “I was fine, but a lot of people were not. “People were coughing and covering their faces.” [email protected] Twitter.com/jhainswo
