WATCH ABOVE: Facebook user “Karrie Bulldogg” posted the following video, which shows a large fight between two groups that broke out at Edmonton’s Coliseum Station shortly after the Canada Day celebrations.
EDMONTON – Canada Day festivities came to an abrupt and violent end for some LRT-goers in Edmonton.
A big fight broke out between two groups on a northbound train around 12:20 a.m. on Wednesday, according to transit officials.
A passenger on the train reportedly called 911, but LRT communications officer Quinn Nicholson says police and transit security did not get to the scene until about 12 minutes later.
Neil Hennig, Edmonton transit safety operations coordinator, explains that’s because a unit that had been stationed at Coliseum was called away.
“It had to go to another issue at another place, therefore, they were not there when this broke out,” he said.
In the meantime, the brawl spilled out onto the platform at the Coliseum Station, where a number of females could be seen throwing punches at one another on the ground while a young girl was seated nearby.
After a few minutes, the fight seemed to stop and some of the individuals got on a crowded train.
Transit officials say there was more fighting at the bus terminal, though.
WATCH: LRT security questioned following Canada Day brawl
By the time police and security arrived at the scene, transit officials say the two groups had dispersed.
No injuries were reported.
In May, a video taken on an Edmonton Transit System train appeared to show a woman behaving in a bizarre manner and attacking a fellow passenger.
WATCH: Edmonton ETS train attack caught on video
In that case, ETS said transit officers were doing their rounds when the incident occurred at Churchill Station, so they were able to respond quickly.
Hennig says despite the recent recorded incidents, he believes the LRT system is safe.
“There are occasions when incidents are going to break out, and we may not necessarily have someone there when they happen; but we will get people there immediately as we are informed of them.”
Hennig adds that since 2005, the Edmonton LRT Peace Officer Program has been expanded substantially to improve safety.
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