The Putney Pusher is an unidentified male who, unprovoked, pushed a woman into the path of oncoming traffic on Putney Bridge, London, on 5 May 2017. The woman narrowly avoided being struck by a bus. CCTV footage of the incident was released in August 2017 and subsequently went viral.
Well, folks, grab your detective hats and put on your finest Sherlock Holmes impression, because we’ve got a story that’s as twisty as a pretzel. The saga of the infamous ‘Putney Pusher’ has taken yet another unexpected turn, and it involves a banker, a bus, and a mystery that’s lingered for nearly a decade.
Let’s rewind to 2017, when a woman was dramatically shoved into the path of a bus in Putney, London. Yes, you read that right. Someone thought it would be a great idea to give her a little push, and not the kind you get when you’re trying to get to the front of the line at a concert. This incident left the public scratching their heads and police on high alert, leading to the birth of the ‘Putney Pusher’ moniker. Because, you know, it’s always more fun to have a catchy title for a crime.
Fast forward to 2023, and we meet Nicholas Brandram—a 44-year-old banker and former army captain who, it seems, had a bit of a penchant for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Recently released under investigation for attempted grievous bodily harm related to the 2017 incident, Brandram was considered a prime suspect in this bizarre case. But, just when you thought the plot couldn’t thicken any further, news broke that he was found dead at his home in Chiswick. Cue dramatic music.
Now, before you start imagining all sorts of nefarious plots, the police have stated that his death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious. So, no, it doesn’t look like we’re dealing with a classic whodunit scenario here, much to the disappointment of amateur detectives everywhere. It’s almost as if the universe is playing a game of ‘guess what’s next’ with us.
One can’t help but wonder what was going through Brandram’s mind in his final days. Was he contemplating a life of crime and mischief, or perhaps just trying to figure out how to get back to normal life after being thrust into the spotlight of a bizarre crime saga? Either way, the man’s story has now become a chapter in the annals of urban legends, leaving us with more questions than answers.
And speaking of questions, let’s not forget the lingering mystery surrounding the original incident. Who was the woman that was pushed? What motivated this random act of aggression? Was it just a bad day for the alleged pusher? These are the kinds of questions that keep us up at night, much like wondering why we ever thought it was a good idea to binge-watch an entire series in one sitting.
In the end, the tale of the ‘Putney Pusher’ serves as a reminder that sometimes life is stranger than fiction. And while we may never fully understand the motivations behind such bizarre actions, we can at least appreciate the irony of how quickly things can unravel. So, here’s to Nicholas Brandram—may he rest in peace—and to the rest of us, let’s just hope we don’t find ourselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Because, honestly, who needs that kind of drama in their lives?
Inspired by: “Putney Pusher suspect, 44, found dead at home – nine years after woman shoved under bus in mystery…” (r/Entertainment)