Watch: Moment knife-wielding gang attack unfolds in back of taxi
Dashcam video footage has captured the moment a knife-wielding gang attacked a man in the back of a taxi in east London.
The clip, filmed from inside the vehicle, shows the group running up to the vehicle before a masked thug smashes one of the car’s windows. He then reaches in and repeatedly tries to stab the passenger, who in turn fights back.
Another attacker is then seen opening one of the passenger doors and tries to pull the man out while stabbing him in the arm.
The petrified victim is heard repeatedly shouting to the taxi driver: “Uncle, drive [away]!” as he tries to defend himself during the 20-second melee.
The driver then speeds off while the bloodied victim calls a friend. He then dials 999 and pleads: “I need police, I’m getting followed by a car. They’re following me, they tried to stab me.”
Police said the man then went to a hospital for treatment. His injuries were not thought to be life-threatening, officers added.
The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into the attack, which took place in Rainham just before 5.10am on June 23, after the video was viewed more than 50 million times on social media.
Earlier in the clip, three men, including the victim, are seen sitting in the taxi before the attack.
They then get out of the car, just as a white Mercedes approaches from behind and the knife-wielding gang jump out to begin their onslaught.
As they do so, the startled taxi driver tries to drive away but his path appears to be blocked and he stops.
The victim, wearing a blue T-shirt, is then seen opening the taxi’s door and getting back in the car. It is unclear where the other two passengers went.
The car is then surrounded and the attack begins.
A Met Police spokesman said: “Police are aware of a video circulating on social media showing dashcam footage of a man in a car being attacked by a group of men armed with knives.
“The incident was reported to the Met on June 23 and remains under investigation.”
They added: “Officers attended and found a man had been approached by a group of people and been stabbed.
“He had taken himself to hospital while calling the police and his injuries are not thought to be life-changing or threatening.”