Taxi driver lucky to be alive

An Auckland taxi driver is in a serious but stable condition in Auckland Hospital following a vicious assault by a passenger.
The 23 year old male driver picked up a passenger from the City's Viaduct area at about 11.30 p.m. on Friday night and drove him to Bertrand Road, Mt Wellington. The driver was then assaulted, receiving multiple stab wounds.
The victim drove himself to a nearby service station where members of the public assisted him and called an ambulance. He underwent emergency surgery in Auckland hospital. The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Cramer said 'The injuries are extremely serious and the victim is lucky to be alive. He is not out of the woods yet.'
The offender is described as a brown skinned male, about 180cm tall, of solid to athletic build and wearing a grey or sandy coloured 'hoodie'. Police would like to hear from anyone who may have seen him nearby the Sebel Hotel getting into a dark green Lexus, or in the vicinity of Bertrand Rd, Mt Wellington last night. Anyone with information that might be of interest to the Police should contact the investigation team at the Glen Innes Police Station on 0508 OPGLADE.