Police are hunting a man who throttled a bus passenger with a scarf in a random attack.
The 37-year-old victim was choked by a man sitting behind him as he sat on a single decker C1 bus from Victoria to White City.
As the pair travelled through Earl’s Court the attacker suddenly pulled a scarf from around his neck and wrapped it around the neck of the passenger in front of him.
CCTV footage shows the victim grappling with the man before he collapsed and passed out - losing consciousness for a few seconds.
The passenger came around and the assailant launched another attack before he suddenly got up and left.
The assault, which lasted about half a minute, happened shortly before 2pm on Saturday on a single decker C1 bus from Victoria to White City.
The victim, who had to be taken to hospital for treatment, got on at Victoria bus station followed by the suspect at the Creswell Gardens stop.
He sat directly behind him and, after a short conversation, threw a dark scarf around his neck from behind, before alighting at Shepherds Bush about 10 minutes later.
The suspect is described as a black man in his early to mid-20s.
He was wearing a grey beanie hat, a sleeveless puffa-style jacket with a beige sweatshirt underneath, dark jeans and dark boots.
Investigating officer detective constable Thomas Norman said: “This was an unprovoked attack on an innocent passenger who was on his way to work.
“The victim has been left highly traumatised. It was so violent that he passed out and this could have been far worse.
“I would urge anyone with information or anyone who recognises this man to contact us as soon as possible. This man is a danger to the public.”
Call Notting Hill CID on 0208 246 0217 with information or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
