Lady Joan Malpas, the second wife of eminent British industrial leader Sir Robert Malpas, came forward three years after her husband was nearly killed when shoved onto subway tracks in London. Sir Robert survived the harrowing ordeal thanks to quick-thinking bystanders.
Lady Joan Malpas is the Second wife of Robert Malpas
Lady Joan Malpas revealed herself in 2018 as the second wife of prominent British businessman Sir Robert Malpas, Lady Joan died in 2019 at the age of 87. Sir Robert was previously married to Josephine Dickenson, who passed away in 2004 after 48 years of marriage. The following year in 2005, Sir Robert wed Lady Joan Malpas.
Her husband, Sir Robert, is the former captain of British industry. He is settled in Wandsworth, South West London. He also chairs the chemical giant ICI group, Cookson, from 1991 to 1998.
Moreover, he has worked in various companies including PowerGen, Eurotunnel, Ferghana Partners Ltd, Repsol SA, and RL Automotive.
Who is Lady Joan Malpas’s husband Rober Malpas? His Background and Early Life
Sir Robert Malpas, who passed away in June 2023 at age 95, was born on August 9th, 1927 to parents Cheshyre and Louise Malpas. His father worked as an accountant exporting Welsh coal to Argentina. His mother was the daughter of a Brazilian opera house functionary. Robert grew up among expatriate circles and attended St. George’s College in Buenos Aires.
Robert was determined to make his career in Great Britain. He studied mechanical engineering at Durham University, graduating with top honors in 1948.
After university, Malpas began working for ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries), one of Britain’s most prestigious corporations at the time. He quickly rose through the ranks, relocated overseas to work on joint ventures, and became Chairman of ICI Europa in 1973.
In 1975, Malpas was appointed the youngest ICI main board member ever. He was considered a candidate to helm ICI someday. However, he departed in 1978 to become President of American firm Halcon International. At the time, Malpas complained about Britain’s 83% top tax rate being too “corrosive.”
What happened to Lady Joan Malpas’s husband Sir Robert Malpas?
Sir Robert Malpas, the 95-year-old husband of Lady Joan Malpas, built an accomplished career as an energetic industrial leader before narrowly cheating death three years ago.
On April 27, 2018, the then 93-year-old Sir Robert was violently shoved off the platform onto the tracks at Marble Arch station just as a train was approaching. He suffered a broken pelvis and gashes to his head.
A selfless bystander named Riyad El-Hassani, 24, quickly jumped down to pull Sir Robert back onto the platform seconds before the train arrived. Others on the platform also helped intervene and detain the perpetrator.
The rescuer, Riyad El-Hassani, 24, said the pair came ‘inches from death’ as a train thundered towards them at a central London Underground station.
Sir Robert eventually made a full recovery after spending time in the hospital for his injuries. In October 2018, he was even well enough to appear in court to see his attacker sentenced.
“He wants to personally thank everyone who helped him that day, they saved his life. There was the man who pulled him to safety, one who stopped the train and another who tackled the suspect. They were all heroes.
“In fact, everyone on the platform was amazing. In the end good conquers all, and the way Londoners and everyone reacted was a credit to human nature.”
Lady Joan Malpas told reporters soon after
The attacker was identified as Paul Crossley, who later admitted he had also tried pushing a different passenger onto subway tracks earlier. Crossley was sentenced to life in prison on two counts of attempted murder.
Suspect Apprehended After Shoving Man Onto Subway Tracks
Riyad El-Hassani, the 24-year-old hotel worker who heroically rescued Sir Robert Malpas from the tracks, later shared more details about the harrowing ordeal.
El-Hassani disclosed that after pulling Malpas to safety, he learned the 93-year-old man was actually an honored Knight. Initially uncertain if Malpas had fallen or been shoved, eyewitnesses soon indicated they saw an altercation with another man.
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On the day after the incident, 46-year-old Paul Crossley of Leyton, East London appeared in court. He was accused of two counts of attempted murder for shoving Malpas and trying to push another passenger onto the tracks at a nearby station.
El-Hassani also revealed that transit officials told him he was extremely fortunate not to have been struck by the train or electrocuted during the rescue.
