The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Taxi driver left with a broken back after Dundee street attack
Police hunt two men following Saturday night assault
A Dundee taxi driver was left with a broken back after confronting a man who kicked his taxi on Saturday night.
Police said the horrific assault occurred at the junction of Park Avenue and Morgan Street shortly before 9pm.
The Tele Taxis driver was attacked by two men and left with what police described as “serious back injuries” following the incident.
The man had picked up a fare in Park Avenue but a passer-by had kicked his vehicle. When he got out to confront him, he was set upon by two men and left with the potentially life-changing injuries.
It is understood it will take him at least three months to make a full recovery.
A spokesman for Police Scotland’s Tayside Division said: “Police Scotland can confirm that it is investigating a serious assault which happened at the junction of Park Avenue and Morgan Street, Dundee, shortly before 9pm on Saturday.
“A taxi driver was assaulted by two persons and suffered serious back injuries as a result.
“We would like to trace two males, both about 5ft 10 and in their late teens or early twenties, one wearing a grey tracksuit, and the other wearing a purple top with white writing on it.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or speak to any officer.
Graeme Stephen, chairman of Dundee Taxi Association, said: “I have never heard anything like this before. Somebody getting their back broken? Things are going out of control.”
He added: “There can be a threat of violence towards drivers. It doesn’t happen all the time but when it does happen it seems to be getting worse.”
And he advised drivers not to get out of their vehicles to confront people who may be trying to damage their car.
“If the car has CCTV they can move the camera to get them in shot,” he said.
“Once they’ve got them in shot they can move away and phone the police.”
A spokesman for Tele Taxis said: “Our driver had gone to collect a fare on Park Avenue. Shortly after collecting the passenger, a man kicked the vehicle. The driver went out to ask why the man had done that and the two started remonstrating.
“A struggle took place before our driver was attacked by another man.
“The driver managed to get back into the vehicle before asking the customer to call for an ambulance.
“Our colleague is in Ninewells Hospital with a broken back and is likely to be off his work for three months.”
Chris Elder, taxi branch secretary for Unite Union, said: “This is certainly one of the worst instances I’ve heard of.
“My sympathies are with the driver – no one should have to endure that type of behaviour during work.”
I have never heard anything like this before. Somebody getting their back broken? Things are going out of control. GRAEME STEPHEN