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Deceased taxi driver Hiren Mohini - Source: ONE News -
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The hunt is on for a passenger who allegedly stabbed and killed a taxi driver in an upmarket Auckland suburb.
Police have named Hiren Mohini, 39, as the Auckland taxi driver who was murdered behind the wheel of his cab in the Auckland suburb of Mt Eden early on Sunday.
A homicide investigation has been launched. Detective Senior Sergeant Hywel Jones says the post mortem examination has revealed a stabbing to the upper torso. However the weapon used has not been recovered yet.
Police say that the Auckland Co-op driver was travelling down View Rd at about 1.23am, when his car veered off the road.
The car slammed into a wall and a tree, activating an internal emergency device and within minutes other taxis arrived at the scene.
"We got a message on our taxi computer that a driver is in trouble on the corner of View road and immediately we came," said taxi driver Bipin Tava, friend of Mohini.
But Mohini died at the scene. It is understood he was stabbed and robbed.
Jones says a young man who was seeing running in the direction of Esplanade Rd after the crash, is being sought by officers.
Police say the man hired Mohini's taxi at about 1.20am in the Auckland CBD.
Taxi drivers on the scene are overwhelmed and angry.
"Those people - they have money to drink, they have money to spend. But they don't have money for taxi," says Tava.
View Rd will be cordoned off until Monday, as police talk to witnesses and a forensic examination is carried out.
Security surveillance footage will also be examined.
Co-op Taxis chairman Ian Graham says the father of two daughters, aged five and two, was well liked during his three years at the company.
"He was a very quiet, reserved gentleman. A true family man, loved his family, and all he was doing was going about trying to earn an honest living doing a public service."
Graham says a number of employees are at the Mohini's home supporting his family.
"It's a tragic loss for a hard working young man who was just providing for his family," says Barrie White, Co-op Taxis.
Speaking at the scene of the accident, Tava says many of them fear for their safety.
"Every night we go out of the house, we are not sure whether we will be safe or not," he says.
"We ask (for) some protection, like some partition between driver and passenger, so that we feel safe."
The man seen running from the scene has been described as a slim, dark-skinned man in his mid to late 20s, 1.74m tall. He had long, greasy wavy or curly hair, which was swept back from his forehead.
He was wearing dark jeans, black shoes, a long-sleeved shirt and carrying a black bag with a strap.
Police are urging anyone with information to contact them on 09 302 6400 or call the Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555 111.
