Attempted abduction? Woman recounts ordeal after jumping from taxi

By Kimone Witter    

 

A woman who boarded a taxi in Mandeville, Manchester recently, is thankful to be alive, after jumping from the car out of fear for her life.

 

She declined to disclose her name, so we will call her 'Jane'.

 

Jane says after she stopped the taxi in New Green last week Thursday, she asked the driver if he was heading to Mandeville, to which he replied in the affirmative. 

 

"When I went in the vehicle, I realised that it was three men in the vehicle, the driver and two other men - a younger one in the front, a older one in the back. I didn't feel so secure, but you know, I just put myself in the hands of the Lord."

 

She says what happened next gripped her with fear. 

 

"Immediately, the driver diverted. He didn't go in the roundabout which take you to Mandeville. He proceeded down the highway. I said to the driver, 'Driver, a Mandeville mi seh mi a guh enuh.' He responded, 'Spanish Town wi a guh.' Immediately I fly the door. I was seated behind him. Mi fly di door. He proceeded down the highway. I waited about a minute, and then I jumped out the vehicle straight unto the asphalt," the woman recounted. 

 

Jane suffered bruises to her legs. She was assisted by motorists who enquired about her actions.

 

"People came down and they said to me, 'What happen? What happen?' I told them what had happened - that I took this car, he said he's going into Mandeville and I see him divert and seh 'Spanish Town wi a guh', so I jump out."

 

She said the other motorists chastised the driver, who had parked and walked up to them, calling him wicked. But the driver then declared he had been joking. 

 

The other motorists urged the driver to take her to the hospital, but Jane said she refused to re-enter the taxi and instead took the driver's first name and licence plate number.

 

The matter was reported to the police, who said it is being investigated.

 

The woman said the incident has affected her mentally and physically.

 

She is appealing to transport operators to be more responsible.

 

"You can't run dem serious joke inna this time," she stressed.