Taxi Driver Online

This is perhaps more 'human interest' in journalistic terms, as opposed to a trade thing...


Teenage boy 'scarred for life' in horror incident where stone thrown through taxi windscreen

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/tees ... h-33521352

Joey South was on his way home when a stone smashed through the taxi windscreen leaving him needing stitches

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Image: Newcastle Chronicle

A teenage boy has been left "scarred for life" after a stone was thrown through the windscreen of a taxi. Joey South was travelling home from a rare meal out with friends when the horrific incident occurred.

Mum Maria South has described the moment she received a video call from her 13-year-old son, who was covered in shards of glass and blood, from James Cook University Hospital. It is understood children were throwing stones at vehicles driving on Marton Road at around 7.20pm on Sunday, March 1, Cleveland Police has said.

Mum-of-three Maria said a stone smashed through the windscreen, hitting Joey between the eyes. Speaking to Teesside Live, she said: "It was just horrific, horrible. We are all just devastated, all the family are. At first I hoped it wasn't that bad but when I got to the hospital the nurse came out and told me to prepare myself."

"He'd asked to go for food with his friends," the 38-year-old added. "He was in Marton and he messaged me saying 'can you get me a taxi home?' He was just near the Southern Cross. So I ordered the taxi and he's on his way home.

"Next thing, he is Facetiming me. He is covered in blood and in the hospital. Something has come through the window and hit him. He was hysterical. I rushed straight there and one of the nurses came out to find me.

"It happened just outside the hospital. The taxi driver brought him straight round and called the police. The taxi was all smashed up. The driver was lovely and he was dead upset himself, concerned about Joey.

"Joey was covered in glass, he had glass in his eye. He's needed stitches inside and out. He has to go back in five days to see if his nose is broken. We don't know if it has impacted his eyesight, they're almost completely swollen shut at the moment."

She says Joey, who is a student at Macmillan Academy, is traumatised in the aftermath of the incident and doesn't want to get back in a car. "He was that much in shock," said Maria. "You think your child is safe getting in a taxi. He doesn't normally go out and I didn't want him walking home when it was dark. Boro Taxis have been really good. They called yesterday to check on him."

Maria is calling for parents to discuss the dangers of throwing stones with their children. The mum, from Linthorpe, said: "Parents need to speak to their children and make them fully aware. They may think it's fun but they have scarred him for life. Mentally we don't know what is going to happen next.

"Parents need to have a good talking to them. This is what can happen. Joey is so lovely, he's just gorgeous. Everyone is gutted this has happened to him. He's the life and soul, he does drama, acting and singing for us all.

"He never causes any trouble. He just keeps himself to himself. It's so sad because this has knocked his confidence."

The youngster, who was cast as Miss Trunchbull in the Majestic Theatre Arts' production of Matilda, also runs his own baking business JJ Bakes and has had to cancel orders following the incident.

Officers issued a plea to parents and carers to speak to their children about the dangers of throwing stones at moving vehicles following the incident. A spokesperson for the force said: "A third party reported that while the teenage boy was travelling on Marton Road at around 7.18pm, children were throwing stones at vehicles driving past causing extensive damage to a number of them.

"We would therefore ask parents and carers to educate their children on the damage and consequences of throwing stones which is not just “messing around” or antisocial behaviour but can cause serious injury as well as costly damage to vehicles.

"We would also urge anyone who has any relevant doorbell, dash cam or private CCTV footage from between 7pm and 8pm to get in touch – please contact Cleveland Police on the 101 number quoting ref 039113."

Inquiries are ongoing.