Drivers injured in attack

A TAXI driver was hit with a rum bottle while another had rocks pelted at him and a police officer was spat on in a violent incident in Townsville early yesterday.

Shortly before 2am, a taxi stopped to pick up a man along Ingham Rd, West End.

Townsville Taxis general manager Angela Rheeders said the passenger then became violent after the driver asked for payment in advance.

“He threw a glass bottle at the driver and then proceeded to get out of the car and throw rocks at the taxi,” she said.

“The driver had pushed a duress alarm and the call centre had notified police.

“Another taxi arrived and the man started throwing rocks at that as well.”

Townsville Police District Duty Officer Senior Sergeant Matt Lyons said the first taxi driver had facial injuries from the bottle while the second man’s hand was cut while protecting himself from the rocks.

Police will allege the passenger fled on foot when police arrived, before being tracked down swiftly and arrested.

“It will be alleged that the male has spat on police as they were taking him into the police vehicle,” Sen- Sgt Lyons said.

“That police officer had to go to hospital for mandatory blood tests and it will be a long and anxious wait for him and his family to find out whether or not he contracted any contagious diseases.”

Sen- Sgt Lyons said the taxi drivers received medical treatment at the scene.

A 24- year- old Townsville man has been charged with two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, two counts of wilful damage of a motor vehicle, one serious assault and one obstruct police.