Taxi Driver Online

07 Feb 2008

Stabbing Horror

A STAB victim says he would have bled to death without the help of a taxi driver.

Craig Stanford, of Heol Glannant, Betws, was attacked in a lane off Betws
Road just before midnight last Saturday as he celebrated Wales’s Six
Nations win against England.

The 33-year-old was left bleeding in the street when taxi driver Robert
Piper, due to pick up a fare near the Oddfellows Arms, helped him into his
car.

Mr Piper raced Mr Stanford and three friends to the Princess of Wales
Hospital, where he was treated for multiple stab wounds.

Now recovering at home, Mr Stanford, who needed 75 stitches and a
life-saving three-and-a-half hour operation, has thanked Mr Piper, saying:
“He saved my life.

“There was blood shooting from my legs and I remember him saying I
wasn’t going to die,” said Mr Stanford, who works as a pest control officer.

“I went into shock as I had lost so much blood.

“He didn’t charge me the fare and said, ‘Don’t worry about the money, just
get fit and well’.

“The surgeon at hospital told me if I had waited for an ambulance I would
have bled to death.

“I’m glad to be alive and I want to say thank you. I wouldn’t be here if he
hadn’t have been there.”

Mr Piper, of Ynysteg, Ynysawdre, had only been driving taxis for eight
weeks when the incident happened.

As he drove to the hospital, the passengers rang 999, but were told no
ambulance was available.

Mr Piper remained calm and got Mr Stanford to the hospital in 10 minutes.

“I saw a man walking across the road covered in blood. Every time he put
his leg down, blood shot out of his leg and he was sliced down his
stomach,” said the 25-year-old, who drives for TJ Taxis and Minibus Hire.

“I said, ‘Let him in,’ and he got into the car and I drove to the hospital.

“We phoned 999 to get an ambulance and they said because he was in a
taxi we should just get him to hospital.

“I was getting him there as quickly as possible, I didn’t want someone
dying next to me.

“He kept saying, ‘I’m going to die, I’m going to die,’ and I said, ‘I will get
you to hospital’. Thank God I was in the right place at the right time.”

Mr Piper then returned to work after swapping his blood-stained car for
another taxi.

Julian Nottof TJ Taxis said: “It’s not the first time we have helped someone
in distress and we are very proud of Robert.”

The Gazette asked the Welsh Ambulance Service whether an ambulance
was available for Mr Stanford, but a spokeswoman said the service was
“unable to respond” to our query.

Police are investigating and want witnesses to come forward. Ring (01656)
679528 or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 33-year-old man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder
and grievous bodily harm.

Source: ic Wales

Nice one, Robert