A Derry taxi driver is recovering after undergoing a terrifying ordeal at the hands of two passengers one of whom attempted to strangle him.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, 3 November, but details have just been made public by the local taxi drivers’ union.
Giving details of the incident, a spokesperson for the IWU condemned the attack and said it was hoped those responsible would be “caught and prosecuted.”
The spokesperson said two men, who had been picked up at Bridgend and had asked to be taken to Strabane, became a “bit out of control” on the journey to the Co Tyrone town, one of the two men, both of whom were in the back seat of the taxi, began pulling at the passenger headrest in front of him.
When asked for the fare on arrival in Strabane, both men said they had already done so and became abusive when told by the taxi driver they had not.
After being informed he was not going to be paid, the driver informed the two men he was talking them to the police station.
However, as he began to drive off, the passenger sitting directly behind him reached forward and grabbed by the neck and throat in an arm lock and tried to choke him.
The taxi driver wrestled to get free whilst trying to bring his taxi to a halt and when he came to a halt the two men jumped out and ran off.
According the IWU spokesperson, the driver was so shocked he sat “shaking” for 20 minutes before being able to drive off.
The spokesperson added: “The IWU condemn this attack and hope those responsible are caught and prosecuted. We also send our best wishes to the taxi driver.”
The spokesperson added: “If any other taxi driver has the misfortune to be part of any such acts of violence towards them, please don’t hesitate in contacting the union.”
The union page can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/TaxiDriversSectionIWU?fref=ts
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