Family’s agony as train station worker mum, 47, dies of coronavirus after passenger claiming to have virus spat at her

THE family of a train station worker who died of coronavirus days after being spat at by a passenger who claimed to be infected have described their agony at her loss. 

Belly Mujinga, 47, was working at London's Victoria Station in March when a man targeted her and a colleague - within days both women fell ill.

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Tragically Ms Mujinga, who had underlying respiratory problems, was put on a ventilator but died on April 5. Only ten people could go to her funeral.

Her daughter, Ingrid, 11, had a final video call from her mum before she became too unwell to talk at Barnet Hospital.

Mujinga's cousin, Agnes Ntumba, told about the aftermath of her death.

"We're still crying, we're still mourning," she said, standing alongside Ingrid.

"Especially for the little one here. She won't have her mummy anymore.

"She was always with her mummy. It's just awful."

'DESPICABLE' ATTACK, SAYS PM

Describing the final video call with Mujinga, husband Lusamba, 60, said: "That was the last time I saw her. I didn’t hear from her again.

"I thought she might be asleep, but the doctor to phoned me to tell me she had died."

He earlier his wife had asked for a back office job as the pandemic grew.

He said: "It’s terrible to lose the person you love so quickly.

“We are sure she got the virus from the man who spat on her, and it could have been so easily avoided.

“He just shouted at them, ‘What are you doing here?’ and then spat over them deliberately. Belly was so upset and so scared."

Downing Street today said the attack was "despicable".

The Prime Minister's official spokesman added: "Our thoughts are with Mrs Mujinga family's at this terrible time."

It comes as dozens of frontline workers have been spat at or coughed on by people claiming to have the virus.

Ms Mujinga's trade union, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), has reported her death to the Railways Inspectorate for investigation and is taking legal advice.

'SERIOUS QUESTIONS'

"Devastated" general secretary Manuel Cortes said they want compensation offered to all frontline workers' families, adding: "Sadly, Belly's is just one of many family tragedies where children have had their parents taken away from them.

"However, there are serious questions about her death; it wasn't inevitable.

"As a vulnerable person in the 'at risk' category, and her condition known to her employer, there are questions about why she wasn't stood down from frontline duties early on in this pandemic."

Yesterday it was revealed cab drivers, shop workers, chefs and security guards are among those most likely to die from coronavirus - but medics are no more at risk than the general public, new figures revealed this week.

We told how the family of London bus driver Mervyn Kennedy, 67, who died from Covid-19 on April 7 blamed his death on a "lack of personal protective equipment".

It comes as TfL said all passengers and staff would need to wear masks on the Underground, and advised people avoided busy times.

This morning packed trains were filled with people heading to work - but not everyone wore face coverings to prevent the spread of the killer bug and sat close to other passengers.

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British Transport Police said in a statement: "British Transport Police have now launched an investigation into a report of two members of rail staff being spat at while working at London Victoria station.

"One of the victims, a 47-year-old woman, very sadly died in hospital on April 5th. Enquiries are ongoing."

Angie Doll, managing director, Southern Railway and Gatwick Express, said: "We are devastated that our dedicated colleague Belly has passed away and our deepest sympathies are with her family with whom we have been in touch through this very difficult time.

"We take any allegations extremely seriously, and we are investigating these claims."

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