A stranger saved the day for a stressed-out mum on Friday after fellow train passengers turned on her for sitting in the wrong seat.Â
A video of the incident posted to Facebook by passenger Tyrone Williams has been viewed more than 600,000 times, dividing opinion all over the world.
The clip shows the young mum, holding her baby in a sling, attempt to sit down next to an elderly lady in a priority seat on the train to Brighton.
The seat is empty, but the elderly woman has placed her bags in it.
When the mum attempts to sit down, the older woman begins to berate her, asking if she has a first class ticket.
The mum addresses the situation, admitting she does not have a first class ticket but does have a standard ticket and explaining that priority seating is designated for expectant mothers and passengers holding infants.
‘I asked you nicely to put your bag on the floor and I offered to put it up. I’m carrying a baby and you just had your shit in it [the seat]. You have to respect me.’
The elderly woman replies
‘And you have to respect your elders and betters. People have actually paid to sit in this carriage.’
‘I don’t want a screaming baby’
The mum quips: ‘He’s not screaming. He is behaving better than you.’
Thankfully, another passenger offers the mum his seat and trades places, earning the applause of a few passengers.
A Southern Rail spokesperson said: ‘Our priority seats are available in both standard class and first class.
‘They should be given up if they’re needed more by people with disabilities, expectant mothers, elderly passengers or those carrying infants.
‘Passengers using priority seats in first class should still have a valid first class ticket unless first class has been declassified due to disruption.’
Watch the incident unfold here:
What do you think, did this angry passenger have a point or is it fair for mums to expect priority treatment? Let us know on Twitter @HerFamilydotie.Â
