NEWCASTLE TAXI DRIVER WINS NORTH EAST TAXI HERO AWARD

Newcastle taxi driver Lamin Saho has won the North East Taxi Hero Award after helping a passenger who feared returning home, according to award organiser Acorn Insurance. The woman entered his taxi during a night shift with no charge on her mobile phone and no way to contact anyone. Saho charged her phone and encouraged her to call her teenage son. He also contacted emergency services to report his concerns for her welfare.

The woman felt safe enough to return home after speaking to her son, who was on his way to the property. Saho said he had worked as a taxi driver for 10 years. “As a taxi driver, you meet all sorts of people, and sometimes you realise that someone needs a bit more than just a lift from one place to another,” he said. People who nominated him also cited his efforts to make passengers feel comfortable discussing their concerns.

Acorn Insurance said Saho will compete with more than 1,700 nominees for the national Britain’s Taxi Hero award. Ash Coakley, head of taxi insurance at Acorn Group, said Saho had shown patience and concern for the passenger’s safety. Saho said he had not expected recognition for helping her and that the regional award meant a great deal to him. Acorn Insurance said it launched the awards to recognise taxi drivers who show bravery, kindness and dedication to passengers and their communities.