AN ELDERLY woman who had just suffered a stroke was robbed as she sat ‘frightened and confused’ for more than five hours on a station platform.
Passers-by failed to notice Anne I’Ons, 70, sat with her luggage - apart from one thief who took advantage and stole £400 from her purse.
She had been on the train from Elsecar to Sheffield when she fell ill at about 10am on October 4. Anne managed to get off the train but the effects of the stroke meant she could not speak to staff or passengers to tell them she needed help.
Sister, Janet Payling, of Glenville Close, Hoyland could not believe an elderly lady could be left there for nearly six hours.
She said: “It gave me a terrible shock when the police called me up and asked if I knew her. “She was so frightened and confused when I went to meet her. She was absolutely terrified and in a real state.”
Janet was told that station staff had approached her but did not realise anything was wrong as none of them had any medical training.
Anne was found confused and disorientated by transport police at 4.22pm.
Janet said it was lucky Anne had been fit and healthy before this incident or the outcome could have been much worse.
Anne, who lives in Australia, completed the Great North Run with her sister on September 30. She was discharged from Northern General Hospital in Sheffield on Wednesday afternoon and it is hoped she will make a full recovery.
Janet said: “The staff at the hospital were absolutely fantastic and I really want to thank them. “I just hope that some good can come from this and it never happens to anyone else.”
Sgt Keith Benton, of British Transport Police at Sheffield, confirmed they were investigating the incident. He said: “My officers are liaising closely with the sister of Mrs I’Ons and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the money.
“We will be reviewing CCTV and speaking to Mrs I’Ons at the earliest opportunity. If a crime has been committed an inquiry will be launched and we will endeavour to bring any offenders to justice.”
