<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A ride-share driver has been left traumatised and with life-changing injuries after being attacked by a group of passengers armed with machetes in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/Melbourne" rel="" target="" title="Melbourne's"><span>Melbourne's</span></a><span> west.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>DiDi driver Rajneesh, who does not want his surname used out of concerns for safety, was picking up a customer in Albion about 1am on Sunday when three to four armed men allegedly forced their way into his car, </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bail-laws-machete-ban-announced-for-victoria/77c5e03b-ec74-439d-9ce1-6c482aca134e" rel="" target="" title="attacking him with machetes"><span>attacking him with machetes</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 25-year-old international student was left with significant injuries, including deep cuts to his fingers and multiple stab wounds to his legs after he was dragged out of his car and assaulted for more than several minutes.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bail-laws-machete-ban-announced-for-victoria/77c5e03b-ec74-439d-9ce1-6c482aca134e" rel="" target="" title="Victorians caught with machetes to face hefty fine and jail time"><strong><span>Victorians caught with machetes to face hefty fine and jail time</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He ran from the car with his keys, when one man began to chase him, according to close-friend Rahul Jamwal.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"They tried to pull him out of the car but his seatbelt was still on and they continued punching him," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"His hands were cut, he was bleeding and being pulled out of the car. They hit him with the machete with both of his legs.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/albion-rideshare-driver-left-lifechanging-injuries-after-machete-attack-in-melbourne/ac4960bb-8c9c-41ad-9e82-e61e3dfbb34c" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Someone was chasing (him) with a knife. He tried to yell (for help) eventually someone helped him (and) called an ambulance.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's scary."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/braybrook-thieves-wanted-after-1m-campervan-theft-in-melbourne/6422dccf-1173-4856-87ca-117d7b76baa1" rel="" target="" title="Thieves wanted after $1 million worth of campervans stolen in Melbourne"><strong><span>Thieves wanted after $1 million worth of campervans stolen in Melbourne</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Jamwal addressed reporters today, saying his friend had undergone three surgeries for his injuries and had been left deeply traumatised.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"These attacks scare you, he is just a kid who came here, wanted to study, wanted to do something good and he got stabbed," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There is some sort of hate here, someone who is stabbing somebody, what kind of anger does someone have in them to do that.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have to say something. One more minute, he could have died. I just better for him."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Friends have since launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to help the 25-year-old cover expenses while he is unable to work.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/panda-mart-watchdog-recalls-potentially-deadly-lamps-sold-at-new-melbourne-discount-shop/75087d50-23f1-4a60-8a39-b5574c961dc8" target="" title="Watchdog recalls 'potentially deadly' lamps sold at new Melbourne discount shop"><strong><span>Watchdog recalls 'potentially deadly' lamps sold at new Melbourne discount shop</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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," Jamwal said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He can't work or drive in that time, and as an international student without family here, he's left with nothing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Rajneesh is a kind, hardworking person who was just doing his job."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>DiDi Head of External Affairs Daniel Jordan said in a statement that the safety of its drivers and the entire "ride-sharing" community was the company's top priority.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"DiDi is conducting an investigation into this matter, while we are also working with law enforcement in its own investigation."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/russia-ukraine-ceasefire-plan-more-details-needed-says-vladimir-putin/9bf4bbba-1be7-414c-9c3a-0bce2120561e" target="_blank"><strong><span>Ukraine calls Putin's bluff, so how will he react?</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Jordan said the company had reached out to Rajneesh and would provide support.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This behaviour is wrong and contrary to the values and safety standards of the platform. We will continue to take action against any user who conducts this type of activity," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police are investigating the incident and believe the group quickly fled the scene empty-handed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on </span><a href="tel:1800333000" target="_blank"><span>1800 333 000</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></a><strong><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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