A violent altercation in Turkey involving a British man and a local taxi driver has resulted in the driver being left in a coma, according to reports from the Daily Mail. The incident occurred in the early hours of April 25 in Istanbul, following a dispute over a taxi fare.
The taxi driver, 56-year-old Kadir Bicer, was allegedly attacked by the British passenger in his vehicle after a journey from Istanbul Airport to the city via Eyupsultan. Dashcam footage from the yellow taxi captured the disturbing sequence of events, showing the British man becoming increasingly agitated and aggressive while still inside the moving vehicle. Witnesses reported that the man was intoxicated and had previously caused disturbances at the airport.
The footage reveals the attacker slipping one arm around Mr Bicer’s throat and using his other hand to twist the driver’s face towards his mouth, in what witnesses described as an attempt to bite off the driver’s nose. The taxi remained in busy traffic as the struggle continued, with the driver initially managing to resist. However, the British man eventually gained the upper hand, grabbing the driver’s face with one hand and maintaining a physical hold on him with the other.
Mr Bicer was able to unbuckle his seatbelt and escape the vehicle, but the struggle continued on the road, with the two grappling on the tarmac as cars passed by. Eventually, Mr Bicer was left unconscious at the roadside and was only discovered by a fellow taxi driver who came upon the scene.
Medical images released show Mr Bicer in hospital with severely bruised and swollen eyes, along with cuts and bruises on his right hand, which appear to have been sustained while trying to defend himself during the attack. His condition is critical, and he remains in a coma in an intensive care unit.
Following the incident, the British man was detained by police who tracked him down and arrested him. After questioning, he was brought before a court and remanded in custody pending trial. The driver’s brother, Huseyin Bicer, expressed concern that the foreign national accused of the attack might leave Turkey before facing justice. He described his brother’s injuries, stating that his face was "completely shattered" and that the family is anxiously awaiting medical updates.
The attack is currently under investigation by local police in Istanbul. The Daily Mail is reporting on developments as authorities continue their inquiries.
Source: Noah Wire Services