Five people have been charged following an incident in which a taxi driver was allegedly assaulted at Surfers Paradise early this morning.
It will be alleged around 12.30am a taxi was hailed by a group of people at Broadbeach Waters. They were driven to Monaco Street at Surfers Paradise where it will be alleged one of the passengers then assaulted the driver causing him to swerve over the road.
It will then be alleged after the driver managed to stop the vehicle the group left the taxi and failed to pay the owed fare.
The 56-year-old male driver was taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital for treatment of what are believed to be non-life threatening head injuries.
Two men, aged 46 and 47, and a 43-year-old woman, all from New South Wales, have each been issued with a Notice to Appear for evade fare. All three are expected to appear at the Southport Magistrates Court on May 25.
A 21-year-old New South Wales man has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, grievous bodily harm and evade fare and is expected to appear at the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.
A 25-year-old New South Wales man has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle and evade fare and is expected to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on May 25.
Investigators believe that during the alleged incident the taxi may have struck other vehicles before the driver was able to bring it to a stop.
Police would like anyone who may have been involved in a collision with the taxi or who may have witnessed the incident to contact Crimestoppers.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.