Blackpool taxi driver stabbed in Mythop Road believed to have harmed himself, say Lancashire Police

A Blackpool taxi driver who said he was stabbed in the stomach by a passenger is believed to have harmed himself.

The cabbie, aged in his 30s, was found with serious knife wounds to his stomach after he pulled into a petrol station in Whitegate Drive at around 11.37pm on March 13.

An ambulance was called to the scene and he was taken to hospital, where he continues his recovery.

He told police that he had been stabbed by a passenger in Mythop Road who flagged him down and asked to be taken to Weeton Barracks.

The cab's interior dash cam, recording the driver and passenger, was allegedly stolen, but no cash or valuables were taken.

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He then drove 5.5 miles to Whitegate Drive where he was found wounded and in a state of distress.

Lancashire Police remained tight-lipped about the subsequent investigation while detectives sought to establish the exact circumstances of the incident.

Today, the force confirmed that no crime has in fact taken place as reported and no third party was involved.

Lancashire Police said it would be inappropriate to comment at this time on whether it will seek to prosecute the taxi driver.

Police statement

A police spokesperson said: "Earlier this month we asked for your help after a Hackney cab driver reported that he had been seriously assaulted in Blackpool.

"We were called to Whitegate Drive at 11.37pm on March 13 to reports the driver had been stabbed to the stomach inside his vehicle.

"The man, in his 30s, was taken to hospital where he remains for treatment.

"Over the last ten days we have carried out numerous enquiries, including house to house, CCTV and other lines of investigations, and we are now confident that no crime has in fact taken place as reported and that no third party was involved in the incident.

"The investigation is now closed."

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Det Insp Matthew Frith, of Blackpool Police, added: “We understand that the reports of this incident will have caused the community a great deal of concern, but I can reassure you that we have carried out extensive enquiries and spoken to a number of people and have reached the conclusion that this incident did not take place as described and we are no longer looking for anyone else in connection with what happened.

"I am grateful to all those who came forward with information and would like to thank the community for their co-operation and understanding while we dealt with this complex inquiry.”