Police make arrest after visually impaired man's neck slashed on CTrain

Calgary police have made an arrest after a stranger slashed the neck of a visually impaired senior on the CTrain.

The 25-year-old accused is being held in custody.

According to police, both men were riding the northeast bound train from City Hall station at around 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday when the 65-year-old man's neck was slashed and he was assaulted in an "unprovoked, random attack."

The injured man went to the front of the train and notified the driver, who then stopped the train in the Riverfront Avenue area to call for help.

Police say the suspect forced open the train doors and fled on foot.

The driver then drove the train to the Bridgeland station, where the injured man was taken by EMS to hospital in serious but stable condition.

Police said in a statement that officers arrested three people on Wednesday at the station who they thought were involved but later released them without charges.

The accused was found shortly after the incident with the help of the police service's canine unit.

The 25-year-old has been charged with aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon.

According to police, the accused said he was in pain, so they took him to the hospital, where he allegedly attempted to physically assault a doctor. After being assessed, he was released to back into police custody.

Calgary police said they believe mental health, addictions and homelessness were factors in the accused's behaviour.

He was being held in custody until his next court appearance.