Taxi Driver Online

Blackpool Gazette

August 10, 2006

HEADLINE: Taxi driver attacked by baseball bat gang

A TAXI driver escaped with his life after being attacked by a gang of baseball bat-wielding thugs.

The driver was hit several times and his car smashed by the gang in what appears to be a totally unprovoked attack.

He says the terrifying incident happened on Tuesday night when he was called to Bowness Avenue, Mereside, to pick up a passenger. As he drove away from the road, his cab was surrounded by a group of up to five men who kicked out at the passing vehicle. When the father-of-one stopped and got out to inspect the damage, one thug ran at him with a baseball bat, swinging for his head. The driver said: "I just saw this lad out of the corner of my eye running at me and then he swung something at my head. If I hadn't put my arm up to defend myself, I could be dead.

"I tried to get back in the car, but they kept hitting me on the back and arms. When I was inside, they turned on the car." The 42-year-old C Cabs employee managed to fend off the worst of the attack But the victim, who has been driving taxis for almost nine years, was left with a suspected fractured wrist and deep bruising to his back and arms.

He added: "This lot wouldn't care who they attacked. They were just waiting for anyone. If it hadn't been me, it could have been an old dear who couldn't fight back. "I hit the panic button in my cab but didn't see a police officer until I was at the hospital three or four hours later. "It's just not enough to protect us."

C Cabs bosses have made a complaint to the police over the time taken to respond to the incident. A Blackpool Police spokeswoman said: "We are aware a complaint has been made and arrangements have been made for an officer to speak to Mrs Grant regarding this matter. "We take all complaints of this nature very seriously and will investigate the incident thoroughly."
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