A routine Thursday evening took a dramatic turn for a Suva taxidriver who found himself at the centre of a high-speed chase that led to the rescue of two terrified children.
The incident unfolded around 8pm along Victoria Pde, outside ANZ Bank, during a police beat patrol.
The taxidriver, who wished to remain anonymous, recalled the heart-pounding moment that began when he witnessed three men jump into a woman’s car and speed off with her two young children still in the back seat.
“One of the police officers saw me giving chase and ran into the middle of the road. I slowed down, and he jumped into my taxi while it was still moving. Together, we pursued the stolen vehicle,” he recounted.
With two other passengers already in his taxi, the driver tailed the car through Victoria Parade, weaving through Toorak, Ami St, Brown St, and eventually onto Milverton Rd.
“I followed him as he turned left into Rewa St. The car was speeding down the road. We were very fortunate no other vehicles were around at the time or people crossing the road. I had no choice but to hit it from the front to force him to stop,” the driver said.
But the carjacker wasn’t ready to surrender. The vehicle lurched forward once more, taking a sharp turn at Rewa St just before Flagstaff, only to find itself stuck in a dead-end street.
“The driver tried to get out by ramming into my taxi. I blocked him in and made sure they could not exit that street,” the driver explained.
With the vehicle finally immobilised, the suspects fled on foot with the police officer hot on their heels.
Inside the car, the driver found the two girls, visibly shaken and in tears.
“I saw the kids in the back seat and I tried to calm them down. They were crying and scared. I was sad to see them like that,” he said.
Reflecting on the night’s events, he added, “I thank God for placing me there at the right time. When we’re able to help, it’s not by accident.”
The entire chase lasted about 20 minutes, ending with the safe return of the children to their family.
Police have praised the taxidriver’s bravery and swift action, crediting him with preventing what could have been a far worse outcome.
