Crime and tragedy: Police from the homicide and major collisions unit are investigating the circumstances around the stabbing of a taxi driver and the death of his assailant. Picture: Wayne Hawkins
Tragedy ... Emergency workers at the scene of the stabbing in Mount Waverley. Picture: Penny Stephens, The Age
THE cabbie who was stabbed to death and had his beloved taxi stolen in Mount Waverley last week has been remembered as a "great driver".
"He was very well known in the contact centre," 13CABS spokesman Simon Purssey said.
"He was a great driver. It's a tragedy for the industry, for our contact centre staff."
?About 3am last Wednesday, police and emergency services were called to Pinewood Drive, where the driver's body had been discovered by nearby residents.
Police found the man's cab about 3? kilometres away at the intersection of Waverley and Gallaghers roads in Glen Waverley, where it had hit a power pole and burst into
flames.
The sole occupant, another man who police are investigating over the death of the driver, died at the scene.
Mr Purssey described the driver's death as "horrendous" but said a lack of security in cabs was not to blame.
He said the cars used by 13CABS had
an outside camera and a double-headed inside camera in addition to a GPS locator and radio.
"Our security is second to none. We and the drivers are really looked after by the amount of security."
But Professor Allan Fels' draft report into the taxi industry said more could be done by the to improve the safety of drivers.
"Drivers continue to be concerned about their personal safety, especially when driving late at night," the report states. "
While some drivers feel that safety has improved through measures such as protective screens, cameras, alarm systems and GPS technology, many believe that drug and alcohol-fuelled behaviour is making their jobs more difficult than ever."
Detective Senior Sergeant David Snare of the homicide squad said police were investigating whether the slain driver had picked up his attacker in the city.
Police
are working with 13CABS and the Victorian Taxi Directorate on CCTV footage of the attack. It is believed the driver picked up his last fare in Elizabeth Street in the city.
Mr Purssey said the death was tragic.
"It's not a good day for the taxi industry. But from this, we all seem to bind together and it brings us closer and stronger.
"People have accidents every day - this just happens to be a horrendous one where a great driver that's been driving for 30 years is no longer with us.
"We're all feeling terrible."
The driver's family asked police that his name not be released.
Information to Crime Stoppers, 1800333000 or visit their website here.
- with The Age