A TAXI driver told how he “feared for his life” after being ambushed and having rocks and missiles hurled at him, before making a narrow escape.

The Basildon cabbie, who wishes to remain anonymous, picked up two young children at Basildon Station at 9.30pm on Monday night.

The terrifying incident happened after he dropped them in Oak Lane, off Gardiners Way, where the driver of a Nissan Juke blinded him with full beams as about six people hurled missiles at the cab.

He said: “I suddenly couldn’t see a thing, and I heard these missiles raining down on me from behind the vehicle as six shadowy figures threw rocks and metal objects at the car. There was music blaring.

“I don’t know why it happened, I haven’t been involved in any altercations. The children paid up and ran off looking terrified.

“It was scary. I quickly did a three-point turn and raced away at 40mph while the people in the Nissan chased me, but I managed to get away.”

The driver, who was so shaken was unable to see out the end of his shift, told how he feels lucky to be alive.

He added the extent of the damage will cost at least £400 from his own pocket to repair.

He continued: “I was just praying the rocks and metal objects didn’t come through my window as I was speeding off.

“They were chasing me at about 40mph to the top of the lane when I managed to turn off and make a getaway - why would anybody do this?

“There were children there. It’s going to cost at least £400 to fix. There is no way I’m going to go up there again.”

He told the Echo he only reported the incident to police on Tuesday due to being “too shaken up.”

Taxi drivers have urged those who carried out the mindless attack to stop, fearing children could be injured.

Ralph Morgan, spokesman for the Basildon Hackney Carriage Association said: “There are some areas some drivers deem too dangerous to go at night.

“Some young people live in those areas and we don’t want those young people running around Basildon at night.

“We just want the offenders to not attack us when we are trying to keep children safe.”

Essex Police will be carrying out an investigation into the senseless attack.

If you have any information call Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111