POLICE are hunting a private taxi driver after a bus driver was brutally beaten in a shocking broad daylight road rage attack after he was pursued into the Falls Road Translink depot. The employee needed hospital treatment following the weekend assault which we’ve been told was carried out by a driver working for a non-local firm.

A colleague of the victim told us of the circumstances that led up to the assault.

“On Saturday afternoon, one of the drivers got into a bit of a row with a taxi driver on the Glen Road,” said the Translink employee, who wishes to remain anonymous.

“That kind of thing happens all the time if you’re a driver. Our driver forgot about it and came on down to the depot but the taxi followed him. The taxi driver got out of his car, went straight up to the driver and punched him twice in the face and then kicked him in the privates.”

The victim, who was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries to his face, was  described by his workmate as “a gentleman”.

“He is a real decent fella. I know him well and he is probably the quietest guy in there. He wouldn’t hurt a fly, he’s a total gentleman.  He is off on the sick now with his injuries and that’s a shame.”

A Translink spokeswoman confirmed the attack.

“We can confirm that a Translink employee was assaulted by a member of the public at our Falls Metro depot on April 28 at 1.50pm,” she said. “The employee attended a local hospital and the incident was reported to the PSNI.”

A PSNI spokesman said an investigation into the attack is ongoing and appealed for information. “Anyone with information should contact police on 0800 555 111.”

It’s believed that the name of the taxi firm for which the assailant worked is in the hands of the police.