A taxi driver had a knife held to his throat and was ordered out of a cab that was later involved in a fatal crash at Bilpin, according to police.
Detective Inspector Luke Rankin of Lithgow police told reporters the 27-year-old driver had picked up a man believed to be aged between 40 and 50 at Lithhgow’s Main Street cab rank about 9.30pm on Tuesday, August 7.
The passenger asked to be driven to Doonside, however just 10 minutes into the journey the passenger allegedly pulled out a knife, put it against the taxi driver’s throat and ordered him out of the taxi.
The taxi driver obeyed and flagged down a passing car for assistance.
“The driver of the taxi who was the victim in this matter wasn’t injured – but was traumatised – but thankfully wasn’t physically injured,” Detective Inspector Luke Rankin said.
The driver of the stolen taxi was seen heading towards Sydney.
Shortly after 10pm police were called to Bells Line of Road, near the intersection with Bilpin School Road, after reports of a crash between a car and a Pantech truck.
“Early indications are that the taxi was at fault... and the driver of the Pantech took evasive action on several occasions to try and avoid a collision but was unable to. A head on collision resulted,” Detective Inspector Rankin said.
Police believe the driver of the stolen taxi was the man killed in the crash. He has not been positively identified.
“We have a suspicion of the male's identity but until we are able to definitively say who he is and of course speak to his next of kin and family and let them know he is deceased we won’t be releasing any information,” Detective Inspector Rankin said.
Investigations into the incident are continuing.