Taxi driver, 39, ‘murdered’ in assault as cops charge two men, 20 and 18, over early morning attack

A TAXI driver was ‘murdered’ in an early morning assault in Rochdale following a ‘big bang’.

Two men were arrested after the reported assault on a residential street in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

Officers were called to a quiet residential road in Queensdale following reports of an assault at 5am, on October 30.

When they arrived, they found a 39 year old male taxi driver who had been ‘seriously assaulted’ and rushed to the nearest hospital.

Due to his critical injuries the man passed away on Sunday morning, November 14.

Local residents told Manchester Evening News that they heard a ‘big bang’ during the night, but didn’t think anything of it until they saw blue flashing lights early in the morning.

The roads were closed throughout the day while officers collected evidence.

Two men, aged 18 and 20, were arrested at the time and taken in for questioning, and have since been charged in relation to the attack.

Police are urging witnesses to come forward with any information on the vicious attack that took place between Dicken Green and Hartley Lane, in Queensdale.

Sajid Mobeen lives a short distance from the scene and said he heard a ‘commotion’ at about 4am.

He said: “I looked out of the window and couldn’t see anything.

“You get a lot of people coming back from a night out, so I thought it was just people arguing.

“The police said they thought someone had been stabbed. I hope he pulls through and recovers.”

Inspector Peter Crowe, of GMP Rochdale’s response team, said: “This was a horrendous assault on a man who should be safe when going about his daily life. Instead, he’s now fighting for his life in hospital.

“While we have made arrests, we continue to appeal for the public’s help in understanding the circumstancing surrounding this incident.

“If you were on Queensway this morning at around 5am and have any information – including dashcam or CCTV footage from the area at the time – please contact police.”

Anyone with any information is urged to contact police online, if able, at www.gmp.police.uk or 101, quoting incident number 674 of 30/10/21.

Reports can also be made anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.