AN Uber driver pulled from his car and bashed in Charlestown says he feared for his life during the violent ordeal, which began when he arrived to pick up a passenger.
Gabriel Long said “40 or 50 kids” ran at his car on Dudley Road just after midnight on Saturday, opened the doors and punched him.
“I was on the ground. I thought, they’re not going to stop, they’ll kill me,” Mr Long, 35, said.
“I protected myself, and I dragged myself over to a house and jumped over the fence. I think they broke the fence and a window.”
Mr Long, of Wickham, had just dropped off a passenger of the ride-sharing service in Charlestown, when a job on Dudley Road flashed up on his screen.
As he neared the address his Hyundai Elantra was surrounded, he said, and someone jumped on the roof.
Some of the attackers, who Mr Long said were aged about 14 to 21, pulled him out by his shirt and his long hair and kept beating him.
He suffered cuts and bruises to his arms and legs, and one of his eyes was swollen.
The car was set upon with “rocks, baseball, cricket bats”, and found crashed into a roundabout on the intersection of Dudley and Algona roads with Mr Long’s wallet and two phones missing.
Lake Macquarie police took the car for forensic examination, and described two youths they said could assist with their inquiries.
One is described as Aboriginal in appearance, aged 17 to 18, with a slim build, and 1.75 to 1.8 metres tall. At the time in question he wore a black hooded jumper.
The other youth is a similar age and height, Caucasian, with a solid build.
Mr Long has driven for Uber for three months, and will weigh up whether to continue. He had not spoken to the company as of Sunday because he no longer has a phone. The car is insured.
Saturday night brought back memories for Mr Long of being attacked by passengers three years ago while he was driving a taxi.
“I was scared of the taxi because I thought it was dangerous. I thought Uber will be no problem because it’s only card [payment],” he said.
“But I believe a house party is more dangerous for Uber drivers than for taxi drivers. When people use the [Uber] app they can see a photo of us, but we don’t see a photo of them.”
Uber said it would work closely with police and assist with the investigation.
“There is no place for violence in our communities and our thoughts are with the driver-partner during this difficult time,” a spokesman said.
“The safety of our driver-partners and riders is always a top priority and we’ll be offering our support to the driver.”
- This article was first published on the Newcastle Herald
