A young taxi driver had a traumatic night after he was brutally bashed by a man at the taxi rank at Crown Casino in Melbourne.
Taxi driver Mr Singh* had to be hospitalised for a broken nose and bruises on his face following a vicious attack while he was doing his job.
It is understood that the driver was attacked after he refused services to a group of ‘drunk and abusive’ passengers.
The driver also claims that he was racially abused and targeted for his Sikh appearance.
Mr Singh who is a turban-wearing Sikh had his hair pulled out and punched in the face that left him badly shaken and fearing for his life.
He told SBS Punjabi that three young passengers entered his taxi while he was waiting for his turn at the Crown Casino taxi rank this Saturday.
“I requested them to take the first taxi in the queue… but not only they ignored it but also kept on hurling abuses and racial comments,” he said.
“When I’d enough of this behaviour, I told them to leave the taxi. But before moving out one of the passengers took my turban off and threw it outside. He shouted, d***head, F**k your turban.”
Mr Singh said when he came out to get his turban back he was attacked.
Driver safety has been major concern in the taxi industry. Source: AAP
“No one came to my aid. After a few minutes, my friend who is also a taxi driver came to help and Police was called,” he added. “I was taken to hospital for treatment before being released on Sunday morning.”
It is understood that Police attended the scene before taking the alleged attacker to the North Melbourne Police station.
Mr Singh says it was a traumatic experience that has left him badly shaken.
“Now I realise how unsafe it is…I am not sure if I want to continue with this job anymore,” he said.
“I am driving taxi for the last one year. I’ve had heard nasty stories but this is something that I’ve to experience for the first time in this job.”
Mr Singh said he has very little hopes for help from his taxi service provider.
“I’ve never been in this situation before, so don’t have any idea if they’ll help me out. I’ll wait for an action from Police before exploring any legal avenues.”
The incident is caught on the taxi’s CCTV camera and is expected to be investigated by the Police.
SBS Punjabi has contacted Victoria Police for more details.
His last name*
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