Sexual Assault on US Train... "Passengers Just Watched"

Police: "No one intervened, no action taken... The current state of our society, a painful matter"

Piston Ngoi (35), who was arrested by the police for sexually assaulting a female passenger on the train. / Photo by Upper Darby Police Department

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] A shocking incident occurred on a train in the United States where a sexual assault took place, yet no other passengers intervened or stopped it.

According to the New York Post and others on the 16th (local time), on the Market-Frankford Line commuter train in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 13th, Piston Ngoi (35), presumed to be homeless, sexually assaulted a woman in front of other passengers.

Sergeant Timary Bernhardt of the Upper Darby Police Department stated that around 10 p.m. that night, they received a report from a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) employee saying, "Something seems wrong with a woman on the train," and responded to the scene.

The police waited for the train at the next station, found the victim, and arrested Ngoi. The victim was transported to a hospital. It was revealed that Ngoi approached the woman by sitting next to her and talking before committing the crime.

According to Sergeant Bernhardt, surveillance cameras inside the train captured the assault as well as the passengers passively watching. He said, "There were definitely passengers on the train, but shockingly, no one intervened to help this woman or took any action." He added, "This incident reflects the current state of our society. I mean, who would just let something like this happen? It's distressing."

SEPTA also described the incident as a "horrific act" in a statement and said, "If those who witnessed it had reported it, the assault could have been stopped sooner." They also urged, "Anyone who witnesses a crime or dangerous situation should report it immediately."

The police are currently seeking witnesses to the incident. The victim was reportedly transferred to a nearby hospital for treatment.

According to Delaware County court records, the perpetrator Piston Ngoi has been charged with rape and assault.