Bus passengers watch in horror as fellow traveller stabbed in alleged random attack in Marrickville

A witness has told of their horror at seeing one man stabbing another passenger in an alleged random attack on a bus in Sydney’s inner west.

The incident occurred on a route 428 bus travelling on Addison Rd in Marrickville about 1am on Thursday.

Police allege a man of Asian appearance was standing on the bus when he suddenly stabbed a 51-year-old passenger in the arm, hand and face.

Superintendent Despa Fitzgerald said there had been no interaction between the men before the attack.

The alleged attacker fled before other passengers rushed to help the injured man and called emergency services who took him to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

One passenger sitting at the back of the bus, who wished to be known only as Boris, recounted the terrifying moment.

“I was scared to death! I’m never taking the bus again,” Boris told 7NEWS.com.au.

He said the alleged attacker boarded at a stop, walked to the middle of the bus, and looked around as if searching for a seat.

He said the victim, sitting nearby, had no warning before the alleged attacker suddenly turned back and stabbed him without saying a word.

Boris said the driver was unaware of what was happening until passengers began screaming.

The alleged attacker then walked towards the front of the bus and fled when the driver opened the doors.

“Everyone was terrified before the door was opened,” Boris said, adding there were about 10 passengers on board.

“There was blood all over the floor.”

Some passengers rushed to help the victim while Boris called triple-0.

“I’ve been taking this route twice a day for a long time but now I’m even scared of hearing the sound of a car door opening,” he said.

A 54-year-old man, who is known to police, was arrested later in the day while was walking on Illawarra Rd.

A knife was seized from him, although officers have not yet determined whether it was the weapon used in the attack.

Fitzgerald confirmed the alleged offender and the victim were not known to each other.

“It was a random attack but we are confident that the person involved is now at Newtown Police Station and just want to assure members of the public to feel safe on our transport network,” she said.

Fitzgerald thanked witnesses who helped both police and the injured man and urged anyone with information who has not yet spoken to investigators to come forward.