Taxi Driver Online

Taxi driver found with fractured skull in Brierley Hill town centre in "very critical" condition



A TAXI driver is in a critical condition in hospital after being found with serious head injuries in Brierley Hill town centre.

The man - who has not yet been named - was found in Bell Street South, just before 9.30pm on Sunday night (February 28), prompting West Midlands Police to launch an investigation.

Local residents were concerned about the incident early on Monday morning when they noticed police had cordoned off the area and a blue tent had been erected near the junction with High Street.

A spokeswoman from West Midlands Police said: “An investigation has been launched after a man was found in Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, with a serious head injury.

“The man − a 60-year-old taxi driver − suffered a fractured skull and is being treated in hospital.

“It is not yet clear how he came about his injuries.”

Shaz Saleem, chairman of Dudley Private Hire & Taxi Association (DPHTA), confirmed the driver, who works for the Brierley Hill-based Newline Taxis, was in a “very critical” condition in hospital, saying: “We can only hope and pray.”

He added: “From unconfirmed reports, we hear it was some young men thinking it was fun to attack the elderly.

“This is a very unfortunate incident and something we have been fearing for a while.

“Driver safety is a massive issue for the association and, as well as public safety, the council must ensure the safety of our drivers.

“All of our drivers are DBS checked, but the passengers aren’t. We have no idea who the people we pick up are or what they might do.

“We used to work closely with the police and the council who helped us set up our taxi watch, but with the police changes and cuts to the funding, the support from the authorities isn’t there like it used to be.    

“It is vitally important that more is done to protect our drivers and I am disappointed that it takes attacks on our workers – who are only trying to do their jobs – for the topic to be raised.”

Any witnesses, or anyone with information about the incident, is asked to contact Force CID on the 101 number.

source: http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/n ... condition/

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Wouldn't it have been easier to deal with if this cab had CCTV?

Just a thought.

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IDFIMH

yes we all know your thoughts on CCTV by now Sussex

personally I would like to wish this unfortunate driver a full recovery and hope that he gets his health and life back together

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

But sometimes things need repeating.

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IDFIMH

Private Hire driver recovering from fractured skull after being "left for dead" in Brierley Hill town centre


A TAXI driver was left for dead after suffering a fractured skull in an attack in Brierley Hill town centre.

Mohammed Ahmed was beaten up by a group of men who fled, leaving nearby residents to raise the alarm on Sunday night.

The 60-year-old victim was taken to Russells Hall Hospital in a critical condition, but police said he is now “comfortable and recovering”.

The shocking attack was condemned by Shaz Saleem, chairman of the Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association.

He said Mr Ahmed, who works for the Brierley Hill-based Newline Taxis, had little memory of what happened, but could recall a group of men arguing with him about why he could not pick them up in Bell Street South, shortly before 9.30pm.

Mr Saleem, who spoke to Mr Ahmed from his bedside, said: “He told them they needed to ring up and book a taxi, because he is a private hire driver not a hackney carriage driver.

“His memory of what happened is blurred, but it was a totally shocking incident and it’s very disheartening for one of our members to be attacked like this.

“He was left for dead and I am very grateful to residents who heard something going on and raised the alarm.”

Mr Saleem said Mr Ahmed was knocked out by the first punch and did not know whether he had got out of his vehicle or whether he was pulled out.

He added: “This is a very unfortunate incident and something we have been fearing for a while.

“Driver safety is a massive issue for the association and, as well as public safety, the council must ensure the safety of all of our drivers.

“All of our drivers are DBS checked, but the passengers aren’t. We have no idea who the people we pick up are or what they might do.

“We used to work closely with the police and the council who helped us set up our taxi watch, but with the police changes and cuts to the funding, the support from the authorities isn’t there like it used to be.

“It is vitally important that more is done in order to protect our drivers and I am disappointed that it takes attacks on our workers – who are only trying to do their jobs – for the topic to be raised.”

Witnesses, or anyone with information about the attack, should call West Midlands Police on 101.

source: http://www.stourbridgenews.co.uk/news/1 ... for_dead_/

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Dudley taxi driver attack: Woman may hold key to thugs who left victim with serious head injury

A woman who may have witnessed a serious attack on a Dudley taxi driver was being sought by police today.

Mohammed Ahmed, aged 60, was found collapsed after the assault in Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, around 9.30pm on Sunday night.

Police say there was a verbal altercation' with people in another vehicle. Mr Ahmed remains in a stable condition in hopsital after being left with a head injury.

Two men aged 16 and 21 have been arrested and bailed.

Dudley Private Hire and Taxi Association chairman Shaz Saleem tweeted this image of Mr Ahmed last week and said the support from the public had been overwhelming.

Det Sgt Leighton Shingles, from Force CID, said: "Enquires into the attack remain on-going. We urgently need to trace this woman who we believe witnessed the assault and screamed during the incident. We believe she may have been in the company of either one or two other men and we urge her to call us as soon as possible on 101."

Officers continue to investigate the attack last week and have carried out house to house enquires and forensic checks on two vehicles they have seized. CCTV from the local area is also being examined.

source: http://www.expressandstar.com/news/crim ... ad-injury/

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin