Police say a bus driver was attacked by seven juveniles at the Broadway Bus Terminal in Paterson on Wednesday afternoon.
A new photograph showing the aftermath of the assault was shared exclusively with News 12 from a bystander. It shows the bus driver lying on the ground after Wednesday's attack.
Authorities say the driver is in critical condition.
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, who also saw the picture, said it was “gruesome.”
“They left that man for dead. That was a heinous and horrific act,” the mayor says.
A spokesperson for New Jersey Transit says the driver operates a bus on the 171 line.
Local bus drivers told News 12 that the security presence at the Broadway Bus Terminal is sporadic. They say they want more officers on duty at the station.
"We've spoken to New Jersey Transit bus drivers and they feel like they don't feel safe anywhere. And if they want to coordinate efforts, we'd be more than willing to have our police department work with theirs,” Sayegh says.
The injured driver was treated on scene by EMTs before being taken to the hospital.
There's no word on any arrests and police haven't said what exactly led up to the altercation. New Jersey Transit Police are leading the investigation.
News 12 reached out to NJ Transit about the drivers' concerns and is waiting to hear back.