Taxi driver abandons blind, autistic man in wrong suburb

A Palmerston North taxi firm says it is "completely ashamed" after one of its drivers dropped off a blind and autistic man in the wrong suburb and drove off.

Taxis Palmerston North operations manager Nigel Kinniburgh told the Manawatu Standard a formal complaint from the family of Palmerston North man Andrew Heyward had yet to be received but the incident was being investigated.

Early on Sunday morning Mr Heyward was meant to be dropped off at his swimming coach's house in Dunk Pl in Milson so that he and the rest of a Special Olympics team could travel to an event in Upper Hutt together.

Instead, Mr Heyward found himself alone and confused on Duncan Pl in Highbury about 7am, stranded for more than 40 minutes before anyone realised a mistake had been made.

Mr Heyward's sister, Jeanette Phillips, said the actions of the taxi driver were "unacceptable".

"First of all, to not help someone like him get to the door - most drivers are very good in doing that - but also to just drive off without making sure he had taken him to the right place; anything could have happened to him."

Mr Heyward said the ordeal left him feeling "very upset".

Mr Kinniburg said the driver had been spoken to and would be dealt with in the appropriate way.

- NZPA