Taxi drivers race to the rescue of attack victim

Taxi drivers race to the rescue of attack victim


Aquacars boss Malcolm Wickham said about 30 drivers went to help the victim

By Sofia Zagzoule
CABBIES rushed to the rescue of a taxi driver after he was slashed across the face by a passenger.
The driver radioed for help after being cut twice with a blade yesterday morning.
More than 30 cabbies heard his pleas over the radio and raced to Festing Road, Southsea.
The drivers got out and barricaded the suspect in a flat until police arrived.
Paramedics found the driver, in his late-60s and from Havant, with blood pouring from his face and complaining of chest pains.
They feared the driver, who had a history of angina, had suffered a heart attack as a result of the assault.
Malcolm Wickham, the general manager of Aqua Cars, said: 'Second-guessing, I imagine the man refused to pay or didn't have the money and our driver got out to confront him.
'It was then that he was attacked with a knife
'He has two wounds, one to his left side and a much deeper one to the right side where the knife has gone right through his cheek and actually cut a blood vessel.That wound needed stitches.
'He called for help over his radio and quite a few drivers responded. According to reports, about 30 went to his rescue. Our driver said what flat the man had gone in to and the drivers blocked his door and wouldn't let him out.They stayed until police arrived minutes later.'
The victim had picked up his passenger from Buckland and dropped him off in Festing Road between 7.30am and 7.45am yesterday. He was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, but discharged early today.
A 23-year-old Southsea man was arrested in connection with the attack and released on bail pending further police inquiries.
Detective Constable Katie Holland said the victim was recovering at home and appeared well. 'He is undergoing tests on his heart condition. As well as the single slash to his face he also has cuts and bruises,' he said



Last Updated: 19 March 2007