A HungryPanda delivery rider and father of two has been stabbed to death in Melbourne’s CBD while working, with another delivery rider injured in the incident and a 51-year-old man arrested by police.
The fatal stabbing occurred on Frederick Way shortly before 8.10pm on Friday, 6 November, after the two delivery riders allegedly confronted a man suspected of tampering with their bicycles.
According to reports, the alleged attacker stabbed one rider multiple times in the chest and wounded the second man once. Emergency services attended the scene and performed CPR on the first victim, but he died at the scene.
The second rider, a man in his 30s, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The victim has not yet been formally identified. However, a witness who knew him told the Herald Sun that he was a father of two whose children were in China.
“He was working all day here, trying to feed his family. He delivered food to me before. I know this guy. I can recognise his face,” the witness said.
The witness described the incident as deeply distressing, saying he had never expected such violence in Australia.
Footage shared on WeChat reportedly showed a man collapsing against a restaurant wall as another person tried to help him. A bystander could be heard calling for towels to apply pressure to the wound while another person asked for an ambulance.
Other HungryPanda riders reportedly chased the alleged attacker towards a nearby bus station in an attempt to apprehend him, but he escaped while still carrying a knife.
Victoria Police established a crime scene between Queen Street and A’Beckett Street, with Homicide Squad detectives investigating the circumstances surrounding the stabbing.
On Saturday morning, detectives arrested a 51-year-old Footscray man in connection with the incident. He remains in custody and is expected to be interviewed by police.
Police have said they are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident. Investigations are continuing.
HungryPanda said it was deeply saddened by the death and extended its condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones.
The food delivery company said it had established a dedicated response team and was contacting the family to offer assistance and support.
“The safety and wellbeing of every delivery rider remain among our highest priorities,” the company said, adding that it was also providing guidance and support to its rider community.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of food delivery workers. A recent survey of 250 delivery riders and drivers by law firm Slater and Gordon found that 65 per cent were concerned about their safety while working.
Half of those surveyed said they were worried about being assaulted while working, including 34 per cent who identified risks while in their vehicles and 25 per cent at customers’ premises or food collection locations.
Among motorcycle riders, 52 per cent expressed concern about assault while picking up or delivering food.
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