MOWED DOWN BY CAR

A TAXI driver has told how he thought he would die as he was mowed down by a car and dragged 600m — over an unpaid fare.

Sathasivam Mathivathanan, 45, of Kingston, was recovering at home with a broken leg yesterday after the terrifying incident in Geeveston on Thursday.

A TAXI driver has told of the terrifying moment he was mowed down by a car and dragged 600 metres over an unpaid fare.

Sathasivam Mathivathanan, 45, of Kingston, yesterday told the Mercury he picked up a man from Cygnet on Thursday and was asked to drive to Geeveston, a trip worth up to $110.

Once he arrived in the area, Mr Mathivathanan said the customer asked to be dropped off at a carpark, where a male was waiting for him.

The man jumped out of Mr Mathivathanan’s cab without paying his fare and hopped into the passenger seat of his friend’s car.

Mr Mathivathanan said he approached the men and asked for some ID but neither of them obliged, instead starting the car and speeding towards him.

“I fell on to the bonnet and grabbed on to the wipers,” he said. “They dragged me nearly 600 metres, they just wouldn’t stop. My leg was dragging along the road and I was screaming for help.

“I was scared I was going to die, I thought they were going to run me over.”

Mr Mathivathanan said witnesses eventually stopped the driver from continuing and called the police.

“They slammed on the brakes and I was thrown from the bonnet,” he said.

“I was in so much pain, I couldn’t move my leg.”

Tasmania Police confirmed they responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Fourfoot and Arve roads in Geeveston about 11.50am on Thursday.

Mr Mathivathanan, a father of two, was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital, where he was treated for a broken leg. He also suffered spinal and shoulder injuries. He said his fractured leg could keep him from driving for up to a year.

“I’m hopeless about my future and my family’s future,” he said.

“I don’t want this to happen to anyone else, we should feel safe at our workplace. Every cab driver has a different story to tell, and there’s more bad stories than good.”

Multicultural Council of Tasmania acting CEO Raj Chopra said this was not an isolated incident, with many other attacks involving racial slurs. “We are calling for community organisations and anyone who can help to create an awareness of racism in Tasmania,” he said.

“There needs to be a campaign to advise the public about why migrants are moving to Tasmania.”

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances leading up to the incident and no charges had been laid last night.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000. chanel.kinniburgh@news.com.au

TERRIFYING ORDEAL

My leg was dragging along the road and I was screaming for help. I was scared I was going to die