http://m.yahoo.com/w/legobpengine/news/s’pore-taxi-driver-beaten-unconscious-by-passenger.html?.b=index&.ts=1339137997&.intl=SG&.lang=en-sg
Knocked out cold.
That’s what happened to a taxi driver after picking up a passenger
from a hotel in Pasir Panjang, according to news reports.
Police arrested a 30-year-old man on Wednesday morning after he
allegedly beat up the taxi driver until the latter was unconscious,
reported Asiaone.
According to Chinese daily Shin Min Daily News, the 48-year-old
taxi driver said he had picked up his passenger from a hotel in
Pasir Panjang through a telephone booking.
Trouble began when the passenger, reportedly a Korean male, vented
his anger on the cabby for driving a "lousy car". Speaking fluent
English, he proceeded to raise his voice at the taxi driver while
ordering him to head to the airport after throwing his luggage into
the boot.
Despite repeated efforts by the driver to calm the passenger down,
he refused, even breaking a door handle while trying to force the
door open.
It was at this point the taxi driver decided to call the police,
which only served to infuriate the passenger further, reported
Asiaone.
The man allegedly began punching the driver's head and back --
knocking him unconscious – after the taxi driver tried to take the
man’s photo.
When the cabby regained consciousness, the passenger allegedly
continued to attack him until the latter begged him to stop. Police
arrived just as the passenger was retrieving his bags from the
taxi.
Said ComfortDelGro spokesperson
Tammy Tan, "We are shocked to learn about the incident and
certainly do not condone passengers displaying such aggression
towards our cabbies, especially since our cabby had done nothing to
provoke the passenger in this instance."
Tan added that their immediate concern is the well-being of their
driver and the company will be assisting the driver with his
medical bills. The taxi operator is also currently working with the
police for investigations.
