The family of a man who died after being pushed off an escalator in London Waterloo have said he was 'attacked' by a group of masked men.
Today police announced that 48-year-old Ian Airlie was found dead at his home in Greenwich, south-east London, on October 10, almost a month after the incident.
Mr Airlie's family told officers he was pushed off the Jubilee Line escalator at Waterloo Station at 5.05pm on September 15.
His niece Sarah Strugnell, 50, said he was attacked by a group of masked men.
She added: 'Clearly something happened, he was found with marks on his chest and suffered serious head injuries.
'We called him Little Ian, his father was Big Ian. They lived together while Ian cared for his father. His father can't bear to go back home now.
'He heard about Ian's death while he was in hospital and he has been there ever since. It's a complete shock,” she told Metro.
Mr Airlie had fallen for a woman of South Asian appearance who also tripped on the escalator.
Ian Airlie, 48, was found dead at his Greenwich home in October, a month after he was allegedly pushed off an escalator at Waterloo Station
Mr Airlie's family told officers he was pushed off an escalator on the Jubilee Line at Waterloo Station (pictured) at 5.05pm on September 15.
Mr Airlie cared for his elderly father, who is now in hospital in a state of shock following news of his death
He then spoke to security at the station about what happened, but so far no one has been named responsible.
After leaving the tube station, Airlie is said to have spoken to another woman on a bus leaving North Greenwich tube station.
She handed him a tissue as he bled above his left eye.
Police are looking for these two women, and anyone who may have witnessed the incident, to contact them with information.
It is understood police intervened after a post-mortem examination on Mr Airlie, carried out on October 29, 2024, was inconclusive.
Detective Inspector Chris Rogers, who is leading the investigation, said: 'Mr Airlie's death is tragic and his family continue to mourn the loss of a loving son, partner, brother and uncle.
“We are determined to piece together the events and give Mr Airlie's family the answers they are looking for.
'You can help us by providing information.
Airlie's 50-year-old cousin, Sarah Strugnell, said he was 'attacked' by a group of masked men, had marks on his chest and suffered serious head injuries.
Mr Airlie told guards he had fallen for a woman of South Asian appearance who also tripped on the escalator.
Mr Airlie's family, who affectionately called him 'little Ian', have described their devastation after his death
'As small as it may seem, this could be the key we need to unlock the research.'
On the day of his fall, Mr Airlie was wearing a black T-shirt and light gray sweatpants.
He was carrying a turquoise and gray Mountain Warehouse backpack, and he also had a medium-sized black suitcase.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, or anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111 – quoting 01/942310/24.
