A man wearing a Michael Myers-style costume dragged an MBTA driver from a Red Line trolley in Dorchester and beat him early Sunday morning, the transit agency said.
The attack at Cedar Grove Station, which is part of the Red Line's Mattapan Trolley section, happened around midnight after the suspect declared that he did not have money for his fare, according to the MBTA.
The suspect, who was wearing a mask reminiscent of the character from the movie "Halloween," punched the employee in the head, pulled him onto the platform, and hit him repeatedly, according to MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo.
The assailant ran away while two passengers on the trolley called for help.
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The 45-year-old train operator, who has been with the MBTA for 18 months, was taken to Carney Hospital, treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and released later Sunday morning.
Governor Charlie Baker condemned the attack.
"Such a vicious and senseless violent attack on a public employee is unconscionable and intolerable and our thoughts and prayers are with the driver as he recovers," he said in a statement.
Transit police are still searching for the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call 617-222-1050.
Alexander Schroeder can be reached at alexander.schroeder@globe.com. He tweets @alexjschroeder.