Melbourne DiDi rideshare driver suffers life-changing injuries in machete attack

A young rideshare driver will be unable to work for months after he was attacked by a group of passengers armed with machetes and knives. 

Rajneesh pulled over in an Albion street in Melbourne’s west early Sunday morning during a shift for rideshare company DiDi.

The international student, 25, was sitting in the car when a group of up to five armed men allegedly forced their way into the vehicle.

The men demanded his keys and threatened Rajneesh with the machete, before dragging him out of the car and assaulted him repeatedly.

He suffered deep cuts to his hand and stab wounds to his legs before fleeing the scene. 

The men gave chase before leaving in a separate vehicle.

Rajneesh flagged down a nearby passerby for help before he was rushed to hospital, where he has since undergone three major operations.

Police investigations into the attempted armed robbery and assault continue. No arrests or charges have been laid. 

Rajneesh, 25, has undergone several surgeries in the days since the brutal attack

Rajneesh (injuries pictured) will need 6-10 months to recover from his life-changing injuries

Rajneesh remains deeply traumatised by the attack, according to his friends.

‘These attacks scare you, he is just a kid who came here, wanted to study, wanted to do something good and he got stabbed,’ Rahul Jamwal told Nine News.

‘There is some sort of hate here, someone who is stabbing somebody, what kind of anger does someone have in them to do that?

‘One more minute, he could have died.’ 

Friends have created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for his friend’s recovery, living costs, trauma counselling and rehab.

‘Rajneesh has already had two major surgeries, and while his medical treatment is covered, doctors say he will need 6 to 10 months to recover,’ Mr Jamwal said. 

‘He can’t work or drive in that time, and as an international student without family here, he’s left with nothing.’

Mr Jamwal described Rajneesh as a ‘kind, hardworking person who was just doing his job.’

Rahul Jamwal (pictured) said his friend remains deeply traumatised by the terrifying attack

Mr Jamwal said Rajneesh will be unable to work while he recovers from his injuries 

‘I will be helping Rajneesh cover his major bills and rent, but he will still need help for daily living, food, transport, and therapy while he recovers,’ he said. 

‘Any help, big or small, will make a difference and help him survive this tough time.’

DiDi will also provide support to Rajneesh

‘All drivers should feel safe and respected during their time on the platform, and we will continue our mission to maximise the safety and wellbeing of all our drivers and passengers,’ external affairs head Daniel Jordan said.

‘DiDi is conducting an investigation into this matter, while we are also working with law enforcement in its own investigation.’

The incident comes as Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan proposed a statewide ban on machetes, which would come into effect from September 1. 

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan (pictured) announced Australia’s first ever machete ban during a presentation at Victorian Police Heaquarters on Thursday

The proposed ban is designed to counter a recent wave of knife-related violence in Victoria. 

Following an amnesty period during which machete owners will be invited to dispose of their knives in designated public bins, offenders will face two years in prison or fines of up to $47,000. 

Exemptions will be available for those with legitimate reasons for owning a machete, though the grounds on which an exemption will be satisfied have yet to be stated. 

‘Machetes are destroying lives so we will destroy machetes,’ Ms Allan said on Thursday.

‘The places we meet can’t become the places we fear.

‘Under my government, community safety comes first and there are consequences for breaking the rules.’

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