Kelowna, British Columbia – A taxi driver suffered serious injuries during a violent attack downtown early Tuesday morning, just days into his new job. Jarmanpreet Singh, 25, was left shaken after an encounter with a group of young passengers led to a knife attack that left him with multiple slash wounds on his hands and leg.
“I was terrified,” Singh recounted. “When I saw the knife, I thought I was going to die.” The traumatic incident unfolded shortly after midnight outside O’Flannigan’s Pub, where Singh had just dropped off two young passengers.
According to Singh, a male passenger paid for the ride with a $100 bill for a fare that was only about $10. After realizing he couldn’t provide the requested change of $90, Singh stated that the passenger accepted $75 in change and instructed him to keep the rest. However, shortly after the cab began moving, the female passenger attempted to seize the bill from the console.
In the dashcam footage from Singh’s taxi, he is heard telling her that he would contact the police if she continued. This prompted both passengers to exit the cab at a stop sign. However, just moments later, they returned with another individual who brandished a knife, leading to the violent confrontation.
Singh believes the man with the knife was not the same individual who initially paid for the taxi ride. “I was just doing my job,” he said, emphasizing the suddenness of the attack.
Roy Paulson, a fellow taxi driver and spokesperson for Kelowna Cabs, expressed concern for Singh’s well-being. “It’s a tragic situation and could have been worse,” he said. “Our thoughts are with him as he recovers.”
After the stabbing, another taxi driver nearby called for assistance. Singh is now awaiting surgery and is expected to take several months off to heal. This injury puts a strain on his family back in India, whom he supports through his work.
As Singh considers his future in the profession, he questioned whether he would ever feel safe driving a cab again. “I don’t think it’s safe anymore,” he confessed.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed one arrest related to the incident but are still looking for more witnesses. They have urged anyone who may have information to come forward as they continue their investigation into the violent episode.