Nation

Grab Driver Victim of Shocking Attack by Passengers on Busy Highway: 'I Was Left Alone!'

2025-07-08

Author: Mei

In a harrowing late-night incident, a Grab driver found himself at the mercy of his own passengers when a simple request to calm down turned into a nightmare of violence.

Stomper Wind, the 48-year-old driver, recounted his terrifying experience, stating he was attacked along the bustling Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) as he headed towards Tuas shortly after 3 a.m. on July 4.

Wind described how two intoxicated male passengers erupted into a quarrel in his vehicle. "I told them to please refrain from fighting inside the car, but things escalated dramatically when one passenger raised his fist against me," he said. He immediately pulled over and attempted to call the police, but instead faced the fury of his passengers.

"He was furious that I called for help, attempting to strike me repeatedly," Wind shared. The situation worsened when the other passenger joined in, turning the highway into a chaotic scene as they chased Wind down the road, pummeling him even after he collapsed.

Desperate for help, Wind recalled waving for assistance as vehicles zoomed by—none willing to stop. "I refused to continue the journey, which sparked their wrath. I felt completely helpless," he lamented. Despite calling emergency services at 3:18 a.m., it took the police almost an hour to arrive.

Fortunately, a fellow private-hire vehicle (PHV) driver came to his aid, followed by the Expressway Monitoring & Advisory System and Aetos. Wind was eventually attended to by ambulatory services after police intervention.

Now recovering in the hospital, Wind shared his injuries, which included significant trauma to his head, a slight fracture in his nose, and a blood clot in one ear. He was discharged later that day at his own request.

Reflecting on his experience, Wind stated, "Grab's hotline wasn't very supportive. I was left to handle my own insurance claims. I was disappointed. It's a harsh reality for drivers; we are often left to fend for ourselves. I'm unable to work for days, and it's frustrating to see fares dropping while dealing with such unreasonable passengers."

As the police continue their investigation into this alarming incident, Wind's distress underscores the vulnerabilities faced by ride-sharing drivers, especially in volatile situations. The call for better safety measures and support for drivers has never been more urgent.