A RAILWAY ticket-office worker has died of coronavirus after being spat at while on duty, her trade union confirmed today.

Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) member Belly Mujinga, 47, was on the concourse at Victoria station in central London in March when a member of the public — who said that he had Covid-19 — spat and coughed at her and a colleague.

Within days of the assault, both women fell ill with the virus.

Ms Mujinga, who had underlying respiratory problems, was admitted to Barnet Hospital in north London and was put on a ventilator but died on April 5, the TSSA said.

The union has reported the incident to the Railways Inspectorate, the safety arm of the Office for Road & Rail, for investigation and is taking legal advice on the situation. British Transport Police have also launched an investigation.

TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “We are shocked and devastated at Belly’s death. She is one of far too many front-line workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus.

“The Health Secretary Matt Hancock recently announced that £60,000 would be paid to the survivors of health and care workers who die as a result of the pandemic.

“Our view is that this compensation should be extended to the families of all front-line workers who perish trying to keep our country and vital services going.

“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 front-line duties early on in this pandemic.

“Rather than talking about the easing the lockdown, the government must first ensure that the right precautions and protections have been taken so that more lives are not lost.

“Anyone who is vulnerable should remain at home, and home working should be the default wherever possible.

“Our rail industry needs to have a very serious look at what tasks are deemed ‘essential’ and must put protections in place for all our members and our passengers.”