Indian international student Pardeep Singh who works as a taxi driver was bashed by his passengers in Hobart on Saturday night.
Mr Singh said a man and a woman attacked him and beat him unconscious at Sandy Bay McDonald's drive through when he asked the female passenger to step out as she was about to vomit.
He alleges the passengers turned abusive and refused to pay the fare or the cleaning fee.
“They punched me too many times and kicked me,” Mr Singh said.
He was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital where he spent the night.
Police have charged the couple in relation to the assault on Mr Singh but said the assault did not appear to be racially-motivated.
Inspector Ian Whish-Wilson told The Mercury, “There was a dispute over payment and it is alleged the passengers assaulted the driver and damaged the vehicle.
“The driver received bruising to his face and it is believed he was unconscious for a short period.
“It was alleged a racial comment was made during the assault but it does not appear that the incident was racially motivated.”
The man and woman charged with assault will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court on June 26.
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