Cabbie found dead in taxi at Heathrow as cash-strapped drivers sleep outside
A cabbie was found dead in his car as drivers sleep in their vehicles in the desperate hope of picking up a fare.
The man in his 50s was found dead in a sleeping bag on Wednesday afternoon and was believed to have been dead for at least three days.
He is thought to have gone unnoticed because taxi drivers face extra-long wait times at a feeder park near Heathrow Airport in London.
Many London taxi drivers have struggled to make a living during the pandemic due to limits on international travel.
And even those who are not working at the terminal are facing a struggle to attract customers because of the pandemic.
The Daily Mail says drivers could be seen sleeping inside their cabs and with some put mattresses in the back of their vehicles.
If they move their cabs from the queue and go home to rest for a few hours they will lose out on picking up a passenger from the terminal.
One cabbie told the paper: "Everyone has been affected by the pandemic but fewer flights obviously means fewer fares so we are waiting longer.
Killer found hanging in prison died because officers thought he was already dead
"There are fewer fares but what do you do, just sit indoors twiddling your thumbs or come out and work?"
According to a spokesman for Scotland Yard: "Police were called shortly after 16:01hrs on Wednesday, 12 May to Newall Road, near Heathrow following reports of an unresponsive man in a car.
"Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and a man in his 50s was pronounced dead at the scene.
"The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."
A Heathrow Airport spokesman reportedly told the Evening Standard: "We are aware of and saddened by this incident.
"Our teams are on hand to support with any police enquiries."
Source: Read Full Article