Auckland taxi driver murder investigation begins

Auckland CIB has launched a homicide investigation after the death of a male taxi driver in the suburb of Mount Eden.

Police say that at about 1.23am on Sunday 31 January 2010, an Auckland Co-op taxi has been travelling East along View Road towards Esplanade Road in Mount Eden.

The vehicle has veered off the road and hit a wall and a tree in View Road. On impact an internal emergency device has activated and within minutes other taxis have arrived at the scene.

Residents in the street were awoken by the noise of the crash and rushed to assist the injured cab driver and remove him from the vehicle.

Emergency services were called but the driver has died at the scene. The circumstances surrounding his death are now the cause for a homicide investigation.

Detective Senior Sergeant Hywell Jones who is leading the enquiry says a young male is being sought by police. This man was seen running in the direction of Esplanade Road immediately after the crash.

Police have cordoned off the scene and a forensic examination is in progress. Relatives of the deceased who is a married man with a young family have been informed.

A post mortem examination on the body of the deceased is being carried out.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact them on 09 302 6400 or call the Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555 111