Cab driver bashed

By EMMA SUN
A VETERAN taxi driver, who provides transport for people with disabilities, was bashed and had rocks thrown at his windscreen in a terrifying attack in Olinda recently.
And he said the incident, together with another assault that occurred on New Year’s Day this year, had finally driven him to look for work elsewhere after almost 40 years behind the wheel of his maxi cab.
The incident follows an assault on another taxi driver in Upwey on 11 September, where the driver was taken to hospital with a suspected broken nose.
David Brumby, 60, picked up five youths, three males and two females, outside Dakota in Ringwood at 4.10am on Saturday 15 September.
On the way to Olinda, Mr Brumby was asked to drop the two ladies and one male at Inverness Road in Montrose.
He said he was then told to pull over at Warrick Farm Road, where he was then assaulted over the fare of $93.90.
Mr Brumby drove away suffering minor facial injuries, but was forced to turn back at the dead end, where he then had rocks pelted at his car.
“As I came back, one picked up a huge rock and heaved it at the cab as I went past and the other one threw other rocks, which I had to swerve to avoid from going through the windscreen,” he said.
“I ran over the stone and it took out the skirting along the underside of the door.”
Mr Brumby said his security screen, which he had installed after the incident where Elwood driver Steven Seymour was murdered, proved to be beneficial in keeping him protected from his attackers.
But he said he would not need to use it for much longer, as he was now searching for work that would get him out of the constant battle against violence.
“The only reason I keep going is because most of my clients are wheelchair clients and I’m happy to provide service to them,” he said.
“I’ve had so many good experiences and I have some fantastic disabled clients and they rely on me and that’s probably why I didn’t pull the pin last year when I could’ve sold it.
“If I could find something else to do, I’d do it – I’ve talked to my wife and I’ve talked to my best mate and everybody agrees it’s time to move on, but when you’ve been doing it all your life, what do you do.”
Detective Senior Constable Rod Newbery from Yarra Ranges CIU said the attack, which caused about $4000 damage to Mr Brumby’s vehicle, would not be tolerated by police.
“With taxi drivers, assaults on them are a serious issue because they’re unprotected and it’s late at night,” he said.
“The consequences of this incident could’ve been severe, because if (Mr Brumby) hadn’t swerved when the rock hit him, he could’ve hit them and seriously injured them and himself.”
Mr Brumby just had one simple message for the public – to be more respectful for cab drivers.
“Taxi drivers provide an essential community service and need to be respected,” he said.
“They’re entitled to have a safe workplace like everybody else.”
One offender was described as 5’10”, wearing a white T-shirt with a cap on backwards and dark pants. The other was around 6’ and had dark hair. Both had thin builds.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Yarra Ranges CIU on 9739 2300.