A TAXI driver with a knife held to his throat crashed into a house in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The driver told residents he thought he was going to die in the attack, which happened in Morley Close, Pokesdown, at about 12.45am.
Police were responding to a report of a robbery in the same street when they learned the taxi had crashed into the house of mum-of-two Ann Steele.
“I thought a bomb had gone off. The whole house shook. My son, Dan, came running downstairs and said: ‘There’s a taxi in the side of the house’.
“My husband, Steve, ran out to see what had happened. The driver was holding his face as if he’d been hit,” said Mrs Steele.
The crash caused a large crack in the side of the house and left the driver shaking uncontrollably, she added.
“I made him a cup of tea but he was shaking so much he couldn’t hold it. He said he’d had a knife put to his throat and kept saying: ‘I thought I was going to die’.
“He was talking about his son having to grow up without a father,” said Mrs Steele.
Ashley Miller, from the Bournemouth Taxi Trade Association, said drivers were always at risk, especially in saloon cars lacking a protective panel between the driver and passengers.
“Taxi drivers are vulnerable to attack because they work by themselves. You’re very open to what can happen.
“A lot of the cars have cameras fitted that photograph the passenger, and panic buttons. Fortunately, these incidents are very few and far between,” said Mr Miller.
A Dorset Police spokesman said: “Following the incident, a 36-year-old taxi driver was taken to hospital where he is being treated for facial injuries.
“A 22-year-old man from Bournemouth and a 23-year-old man from Poole were arrested and are currently being questioned by police.
“Witnesses and anyone with information should contact Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.”
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/8 ... nto_house/
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